Jo gave a sort of gasp , as if a cold shower bath had suddenly fallen upon her , for such an unexpected turning of the tables actually took her breath away . At the odd sound the lovers turned and saw her . Meg jumped up , looking both proud and shy , but ` that man ' , as Jo called him , actually laughed and said coolly , as he kissed the astonished newcomer , `` Sister Jo , congratulate us ! '' That was adding insult to injury , it was altogether too much , and making some wild demonstration with her hands , Jo vanished without a word . Rushing upstairs , she startled the invalids by exclaiming tragically as she burst into the room , `` Oh , do somebody go down quick ! John Brooke is acting dreadfully , and Meg likes it ! '' Mr. and Mrs. March left the room with speed , and casting herself upon the bed , Jo cried and scolded tempestuously as she told the awful news to Beth and Amy . The little girls , however , considered it a most agreeable and interesting event , and Jo got little comfort from them , so she went up to her refuge in the garret , and confided her troubles to the rats . Nobody ever knew what went on in the parlor that afternoon , but a great deal of talking was done , and quiet Mr. Brooke astonished his friends by the eloquence and spirit with which he pleaded his suit , told his plans , and persuaded them to arrange everything just as he wanted it . The tea bell rang before he had finished describing the paradise which he meant to earn for Meg , and he proudly took her in to supper , both looking so happy that Jo had n't the heart to be jealous or dismal . Amy was very much impressed by John 's devotion and Meg 's dignity , Beth beamed at them from a distance , while Mr. and Mrs. March surveyed the young couple with such tender satisfaction that it was perfectly evident Aunt March was right in calling them as ` unworldly as a pair of babies ' . No one ate much , but everyone looked very happy , and the old room seemed to brighten up amazingly when the first romance of the family began there . `` You ca n't say nothing pleasant ever happens now , can you , Meg ? '' said Amy , trying to decide how she would group the lovers in a sketch she was planning to make . `` No , I 'm sure I ca n't . How much has happened since I said that ! It seems a year ago , '' answered Meg , who was in a blissful dream lifted far above such common things as bread and butter . `` The joys come close upon the sorrows this time , and I rather think the changes have begun , '' said Mrs. March . `` In most families there comes , now and then , a year full of events . This has been such a one , but it ends well , after all . ''
`` Hope the next will end better , '' muttered Jo , who found it very hard to see XXXXX absorbed in a stranger before her face , for Jo loved a few persons very dearly and dreaded to have their affection lost or lessened in any way .
Amy Beth Brooke Jo John Meg afternoon left right year