Lotty reported that they had eaten `` a much , and greatly laughed , and the master bid her throw away all the sweet stuff , and hide the pots . '' Meg longed to go and tell Mother , but a sense of shame at her own short-comings , of loyalty to John , `` who might be cruel , but nobody should know it , '' restrained her , and after a summary cleaning up , she dressed herself prettily , and sat down to wait for John to come and be forgiven . Unfortunately , John did n't come , not seeing the matter in that light . He had carried it off as a good joke with Scott , excused his little wife as well as he could , and played the host so hospitably that his friend enjoyed the impromptu dinner , and promised to come again , but John was angry , though he did not show it , he felt that Meg had deserted him in his hour of need . `` It was n't fair to tell a man to bring folks home any time , with perfect freedom , and when he took you at your word , to flame up and blame him , and leave him in the lurch , to be laughed at or pitied . No , by George , it was n't ! And Meg must know it . '' He had fumed inwardly during the feast , but when the flurry was over and he strolled home after seeing Scott off , a milder mood came over him . `` Poor little thing ! It was hard upon her when she tried so heartily to please me . She was wrong , of course , but then she was young . I must be patient and teach her . '' He hoped she had not gone home -- he hated gossip and interference . For a minute he was ruffled again at the mere thought of it , and then the fear that Meg would cry herself sick softened his heart , and sent him on at a quicker pace , resolving to be calm and kind , but firm , quite firm , and show her where she had failed in her duty to her spouse . Meg likewise resolved to be ` calm and kind , but firm ' , and show him his duty . She longed to run to meet him , and beg pardon , and be kissed and comforted , as she was sure of being , but , of course , she did nothing of the sort , and when she saw John coming , began to hum quite naturally , as she rocked and sewed , like a lady of leisure in her best parlor . John was a little disappointed not to find a tender Niobe , but feeling that his dignity demanded the first apology , he made none , only came leisurely in and laid himself upon the sofa with the singularly relevant remark , `` We are going to have a new moon , my dear . '' `` I 've no objection , '' was Meg 's equally soothing remark . A few other topics of general interest were introduced by Mr. Brooke and wet-blanketed by Mrs. Brooke , and conversation languished . John went to one window , unfolded his paper , and wrapped himself in it , figuratively speaking .
XXXXX went to the other window , and sewed as if new rosettes for slippers were among the necessaries of life .
George John Lotty Meg Mother Scott first hour minute short-comings