Between ourselves , Jo , some of the girls I know really do go on at such a rate I 'm ashamed of them . They do n't mean any harm , I 'm sure , but if they knew how we fellows talked about them afterward , they 'd mend their ways , I fancy . '' `` They do the same , and as their tongues are the sharpest , you fellows get the worst of it , for you are as silly as they , every bit . If you behaved properly , they would , but knowing you like their nonsense , they keep it up , and then you blame them . '' `` Much you know about it , ma'am , '' said Laurie in a superior tone . `` We do n't like romps and flirts , though we may act as if we did sometimes . The pretty , modest girls are never talked about , except respectfully , among gentleman . Bless your innocent soul ! If you could be in my place for a month you 'd see things that would astonish you a trifle . Upon my word , when I see one of those harum-scarum girls , I always want to say with our friend Cock Robin ... `` Out upon you , fie upon you , Bold-faced jig ! '' It was impossible to help laughing at the funny conflict between Laurie 's chivalrous reluctance to speak ill of womankind , and his very natural dislike of the unfeminine folly of which fashionable society showed him many samples . Jo knew that ` young Laurence ' was regarded as a most eligible parti by worldly mamas , was much smiled upon by their daughters , and flattered enough by ladies of all ages to make a coxcomb of him , so she watched him rather jealously , fearing he would be spoiled , and rejoiced more than she confessed to find that he still believed in modest girls . Returning suddenly to her admonitory tone , she said , dropping her voice , `` If you must have a ` vent ' , Teddy , go and devote yourself to one of the ` pretty , modest girls ' whom you do respect , and not waste your time with the silly ones . '' `` You really advise it ? '' and Laurie looked at her with an odd mixture of anxiety and merriment in his face . `` Yes , I do , but you 'd better wait till you are through college , on the whole , and be fitting yourself for the place meantime . You 're not half good enough for -- well , whoever the modest girl may be . '' and Jo looked a little queer likewise , for a name had almost escaped her . `` That I 'm not ! '' acquiesced Laurie , with an expression of humility quite new to him , as he dropped his eyes and absently wound Jo 's apron tassel round his finger .
`` Mercy on us , this will never do , '' thought XXXXX , adding aloud , `` Go and sing to me .
Jo Laurence Laurie coxcomb fie flirts mamas romps tassel womankind