cried Jo , forgetting her woes for a minute in her wonder . `` I telegraphed to your mother yesterday , and Brooke answered she 'd come at once , and she 'll be here tonight , and everything will be all right . Are n't you glad I did it ? '' Laurie spoke very fast , and turned red and excited all in a minute , for he had kept his plot a secret , for fear of disappointing the girls or harming Beth . Jo grew quite white , flew out of her chair , and the moment he stopped speaking she electrified him by throwing her arms round his neck , and crying out , with a joyful cry , `` Oh , Laurie ! Oh , Mother ! I am so glad ! '' She did not weep again , but laughed hysterically , and trembled and clung to her friend as if she was a little bewildered by the sudden news . Laurie , though decidedly amazed , behaved with great presence of mind . He patted her back soothingly , and finding that she was recovering , followed it up by a bashful kiss or two , which brought Jo round at once . Holding on to the banisters , she put him gently away , saying breathlessly , `` Oh , do n't ! I did n't mean to , it was dreadful of me , but you were such a dear to go and do it in spite of Hannah that I could n't help flying at you . Tell me all about it , and do n't give me wine again , it makes me act so . '' `` I do n't mind , '' laughed Laurie , as he settled his tie . `` Why , you see I got fidgety , and so did Grandpa . We thought Hannah was overdoing the authority business , and your mother ought to know . She 'd never forgive us if Beth ... Well , if anything happened , you know . So I got grandpa to say it was high time we did something , and off I pelted to the office yesterday , for the doctor looked sober , and Hannah most took my head off when I proposed a telegram . I never can bear to be ` lorded over ' , so that settled my mind , and I did it . Your mother will come , I know , and the late train is in at two A.M. I shall go for her , and you 've only got to bottle up your rapture , and keep Beth quiet till that blessed lady gets here . ''
`` XXXXX , you 're an angel !
A.M. Beth Brooke Grandpa Hannah Jo Laurie Mother minute right