The note was written in the terms which one gentleman would use to another after offering some deep insult . Jo dropped a kiss on the top of Mr. Laurence 's bald head , and ran up to slip the apology under Laurie 's door , advising him through the keyhole to be submissive , decorous , and a few other agreeable impossibilities . Finding the door locked again , she left the note to do its work , and was going quietly away , when the young gentleman slid down the banisters , and waited for her at the bottom , saying , with his most virtuous expression of countenance , `` What a good fellow you are , Jo ! Did you get blown up ? '' he added , laughing . `` No , he was pretty mild , on the whole . '' `` Ah ! I got it all round . Even you cast me off over there , and I felt just ready to go to the deuce , '' he began apologetically . `` Do n't talk that way , turn over a new leaf and begin again , Teddy , my son . '' `` I keep turning over new leaves , and spoiling them , as I used to spoil my copybooks , and I make so many beginnings there never will be an end , '' he said dolefully . `` Go and eat your dinner , you 'll feel better after it . Men always croak when they are hungry , '' and Jo whisked out at the front door after that . `` That 's a ` label ' on my ` sect ' , '' answered Laurie , quoting Amy , as he went to partake of humble pie dutifully with his grandfather , who was quite saintly in temper and overwhelmingly respectful in manner all the rest of the day . Everyone thought the matter ended and the little cloud blown over , but the mischief was done , for though others forgot it , Meg remembered . She never alluded to a certain person , but she thought of him a good deal , dreamed dreams more than ever , and once Jo , rummaging her sister 's desk for stamps , found a bit of paper scribbled over with the words , ` Mrs. John Brooke ' , whereat she groaned tragically and cast it into the fire , feeling that Laurie 's prank had hastened the evil day for her . CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO PLEASANT MEADOWS Like sunshine after a storm were the peaceful weeks which followed . The invalids improved rapidly , and Mr. March began to talk of returning early in the new year . Beth was soon able to lie on the study sofa all day , amusing herself with the well-beloved cats at first , and in time with doll 's sewing , which had fallen sadly behind-hand . Her once active limbs were so stiff and feeble that Jo took her for a daily airing about the house in her strong arms .
XXXXX cheerfully blackened and burned her white hands cooking delicate messes for ` the dear ' , while Amy , a loyal slave of the ring , celebrated her return by giving away as many of her treasures as she could prevail on her sisters to accept .
Amy Beth Brooke Jo Laurence Laurie Meg day impossibilities weeks