She seemed to take all the girl 's courage with her , for when left alone , Meg stood for a moment , undecided whether to laugh or cry . Before she could make up her mind , she was taken possession of by Mr. Brooke , who said all in one breath , `` I could n't help hearing , Meg . Thank you for defending me , and Aunt March for proving that you do care for me a little bit . '' `` I did n't know how much till she abused you , '' began Meg . `` And I need n't go away , but may stay and be happy , may I , dear ? '' Here was another fine chance to make the crushing speech and the stately exit , but Meg never thought of doing either , and disgraced herself forever in Jo 's eyes by meekly whispering , `` Yes , John , '' and hiding her face on Mr. Brooke 's waistcoat . Fifteen minutes after Aunt March 's departure , Jo came softly downstairs , paused an instant at the parlor door , and hearing no sound within , nodded and smiled with a satisfied expression , saying to herself , `` She has seen him away as we planned , and that affair is settled . I 'll go and hear the fun , and have a good laugh over it . '' But poor Jo never got her laugh , for she was transfixed upon the threshold by a spectacle which held her there , staring with her mouth nearly as wide open as her eyes . Going in to exult over a fallen enemy and to praise a strong-minded sister for the banishment of an objectionable lover , it certainly was a shock to behold the aforesaid enemy serenely sitting on the sofa , with the strongminded sister enthroned upon his knee and wearing an expression of the most abject submission . 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 .
XXXXX 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 ' .
Amy Beth Brooke Jo John Meg afternoon garret left minutes