Her keen eyes filled , and when she spoke again , it was in a voice that could be beautifully soft and kind when she chose to make it so . `` I know I have no right to talk so to you , Laurie , and if you were n't the sweetest-tempered fellow in the world , you 'd be very angry with me . But we are all so fond and proud of you , I could n't bear to think they should be disappointed in you at home as I have been , though , perhaps they would understand the change better than I do . '' `` I think they would , '' came from under the hat , in a grim tone , quite as touching as a broken one . `` They ought to have told me , and not let me go blundering and scolding , when I should have been more kind and patient than ever . I never did like that Miss Randal and now I hate her ! '' said artful Amy , wishing to be sure of her facts this time . `` Hang Miss Randal ! '' and Laurie knocked the hat off his face with a look that left no doubt of his sentiments toward that young lady . `` I beg pardon , I thought ... '' and there she paused diplomatically . `` No , you did n't , you knew perfectly well I never cared for anyone but Jo , '' Laurie said that in his old , impetuous tone , and turned his face away as he spoke . `` I did think so , but as they never said anything about it , and you came away , I supposed I was mistaken . And Jo would n't be kind to you ? Why , I was sure she loved you dearly . '' `` She was kind , but not in the right way , and it 's lucky for her she did n't love me , if I 'm the good-for-nothing fellow you think me . It 's her fault though , and you may tell her so . '' The hard , bitter look came back again as he said that , and it troubled Amy , for she did not know what balm to apply . `` I was wrong , I did n't know . I 'm very sorry I was so cross , but I ca n't help wishing you 'd bear it better , Teddy , dear . '' `` Do n't , that 's her name for me ! ''
and XXXXX put up his hand with a quick gesture to stop the words spoken in Jo 's half-kind , half-reproachful tone .
Amy Jo Laurie Randal anyone balm blundering left pardon right