Laurie smiled but did n't seem shocked , and answered with a shrug . `` Not for a year or two . I wo n't go before seventeen , anyway . '' `` Are n't you but fifteen ? '' asked Jo , looking at the tall lad , whom she had imagined seventeen already . `` Sixteen , next month . '' `` How I wish I was going to college ! You do n't look as if you liked it . '' `` I hate it ! Nothing but grinding or skylarking . And I do n't like the way fellows do either , in this country . '' `` What do you like ? '' `` To live in Italy , and to enjoy myself in my own way . '' Jo wanted very much to ask what his own way was , but his black brows looked rather threatening as he knit them , so she changed the subject by saying , as her foot kept time , `` That 's a splendid polka ! Why do n't you go and try it ? '' `` If you will come too , '' he answered , with a gallant little bow . `` I ca n't , for I told Meg I would n't , because ... '' There Jo stopped , and looked undecided whether to tell or to laugh . `` Because , what ? '' `` You wo n't tell ? '' `` Never ! ''
`` Well , I have a bad trick of standing before the fire , and so I burn my frocks , and I scorched this one , and though it 's nicely mended , it shows , and XXXXX told me to keep still so no one would see it .
Italy Jo Laurie Meg bow brows lad laugh month year