If you have been good , he looks satisfied and walks briskly . If you have plagued him , he 's sober and walks slowly , as if he wanted to go back and do his work better . '' `` Well , I like that ? So you keep an account of my good and bad marks in Brooke 's face , do you ? I see him bow and smile as he passes your window , but I did n't know you 'd got up a telegraph . '' `` We have n't . Do n't be angry , and oh , do n't tell him I said anything ! It was only to show that I cared how you get on , and what is said here is said in confidence , you know , '' cried Meg , much alarmed at the thought of what might follow from her careless speech . `` I do n't tell tales , '' replied Laurie , with his ` high and mighty ' air , as Jo called a certain expression which he occasionally wore . `` Only if Brooke is going to be a thermometer , I must mind and have fair weather for him to report . '' `` Please do n't be offended . I did n't mean to preach or tell tales or be silly . I only thought Jo was encouraging you in a feeling which you 'd be sorry for by-and-by . You are so kind to us , we feel as if you were our brother and say just what we think . Forgive me , I meant it kindly . '' And Meg offered her hand with a gesture both affectionate and timid . Ashamed of his momentary pique , Laurie squeezed the kind little hand , and said frankly , `` I 'm the one to be forgiven . I 'm cross and have been out of sorts all day . I like to have you tell me my faults and be sisterly , so do n't mind if I am grumpy sometimes . I thank you all the same . ''
Bent on showing that he was not offended , he made himself as agreeable as possible , wound cotton for XXXXX , recited poetry to please Jo , shook down cones for Beth , and helped Amy with her ferns , proving himself a fit person to belong to the ` Busy Bee Society ' .
Brooke Jo Laurie Meg air confidence day telegraph weather window