asked Jo more respectfully . `` Not at all . You are sixteen now , quite old enough to be my confident , and my experience will be useful to you by-and-by , perhaps , in your own affairs of this sort . '' `` Do n't mean to have any . It 's fun to watch other people philander , but I should feel like a fool doing it myself , '' said Jo , looking alarmed at the thought . `` I think not , if you liked anyone very much , and he liked you . '' Meg spoke as if to herself , and glanced out at the lane where she had often seen lovers walking together in the summer twilight . `` I thought you were going to tell your speech to that man , '' said Jo , rudely shortening her sister 's little reverie . `` Oh , I should merely say , quite calmly and decidedly , ` Thank you , Mr. Brooke , you are very kind , but I agree with Father that I am too young to enter into any engagement at present , so please say no more , but let us be friends as we were . ' '' `` Hum , that 's stiff and cool enough ! I do n't believe you 'll ever say it , and I know he wo n't be satisfied if you do . If he goes on like the rejected lovers in books , you 'll give in , rather than hurt his feelings . '' `` No , I wo n't . I shall tell him I 've made up my mind , and shall walk out of the room with dignity . '' Meg rose as she spoke , and was just going to rehearse the dignified exit , when a step in the hall made her fly into her seat and begin to sew as fast as if her life depended on finishing that particular seam in a given time . Jo smothered a laugh at the sudden change , and when someone gave a modest tap , opened the door with a grim aspect which was anything but hospitable . `` Good afternoon . I came to get my umbrella , that is , to see how your father finds himself today , '' said Mr. Brooke , getting a trifle confused as his eyes went from one telltale face to the other . `` It 's very well , he 's in the rack . I 'll get him , and tell it you are here . ''
And having jumbled her father and the umbrella well together in her reply , XXXXX slipped out of the room to give Meg a chance to make her speech and air her dignity .
Brooke Father Jo Meg Mr. aspect eyes laugh mind twilight