He wheedled , bribed , ridiculed , threatened , and scolded ; affected indifference , that he might surprise the truth from her ; declared he knew , then that he did n't care ; and at last , by dint of perseverance , he satisfied himself that it concerned Meg and Mr. Brooke . Feeling indignant that he was not taken into his tutor 's confidence , he set his wits to work to devise some proper retaliation for the slight . Meg meanwhile had apparently forgotten the matter and was absorbed in preparations for her father 's return , but all of a sudden a change seemed to come over her , and , for a day or two , she was quite unlike herself . She started when spoken to , blushed when looked at , was very quiet , and sat over her sewing , with a timid , troubled look on her face . To her mother 's inquiries she answered that she was quite well , and Jo 's she silenced by begging to be let alone . `` She feels it in the air -- love , I mean -- and she 's going very fast . She 's got most of the symptoms -- is twittery and cross , does n't eat , lies awake , and mopes in corners . I caught her singing that song he gave her , and once she said ` John ' , as you do , and then turned as red as a poppy . Whatever shall we do ? '' said Jo , looking ready for any measures , however violent . `` Nothing but wait . Let her alone , be kind and patient , and Father 's coming will settle everything , '' replied her mother . `` Here 's a note to you , Meg , all sealed up . How odd ! Teddy never seals mine , '' said Jo next day , as she distributed the contents of the little post office . Mrs. March and Jo were deep in their own affairs , when a sound from Meg made them look up to see her staring at her note with a frightened face . `` My child , what is it ? '' cried her mother , running to her , while Jo tried to take the paper which had done the mischief . `` It 's all a mistake , he did n't send it . Oh , Jo , how could you do it ? ''
and XXXXX hid her face in her hands , crying as if her heart were quite broken .
Brooke Father Jo John Meg air day dint inquiries paper