I 'll comfort Meg while you go and get Laurie . I shall sift the matter to the bottom , and put a stop to such pranks at once . '' Away ran Jo , and Mrs. March gently told Meg Mr. Brooke 's real feelings . `` Now , dear , what are your own ? Do you love him enough to wait till he can make a home for you , or will you keep yourself quite free for the present ? '' `` I 've been so scared and worried , I do n't want to have anything to do with lovers for a long while , perhaps never , '' answered Meg petulantly . `` If John does n't know anything about this nonsense , do n't tell him , and make Jo and Laurie hold their tongues . I wo n't be deceived and plagued and made a fool of . It 's a shame ! '' Seeing Meg 's usually gentle temper was roused and her pride hurt by this mischievous joke , Mrs. March soothed her by promises of entire silence and great discretion for the future . The instant Laurie 's step was heard in the hall , Meg fled into the study , and Mrs. March received the culprit alone . Jo had not told him why he was wanted , fearing he would n't come , but he knew the minute he saw Mrs. March 's face , and stood twirling his hat with a guilty air which convicted him at once . Jo was dismissed , but chose to march up and down the hall like a sentinel , having some fear that the prisoner might bolt . The sound of voices in the parlor rose and fell for half an hour , but what happened during that interview the girls never knew . When they were called in , Laurie was standing by their mother with such a penitent face that Jo forgave him on the spot , but did not think it wise to betray the fact . Meg received his humble apology , and was much comforted by the assurance that Brooke knew nothing of the joke . `` I 'll never tell him to my dying day , wild horses sha n't drag it out of me , so you 'll forgive me , Meg , and I 'll do anything to show how out-and-out sorry I am , '' he added , looking very much ashamed of himself . `` I 'll try , but it was a very ungentlemanly thing to do , I did n't think you could be so sly and malicious , Laurie , '' replied Meg , trying to hide her maidenly confusion under a gravely reproachful air . `` It was altogether abominable , and I do n't deserve to be spoken to for a month , but you will , though , wo n't you ? '' And Laurie folded his hands together with such and imploring gesture , as he spoke in his irresistibly persuasive tone , that it was impossible to frown upon him in spite of his scandalous behavior .
XXXXX pardoned him , and Mrs. March 's grave face relaxed , in spite of her efforts to keep sober , when she heard him declare that he would atone for his sins by all sorts of penances , and abase himself like a worm before the injured damsel .
Brooke Jo John Laurie Meg day hour month nonsense tone