John is good and wise , he 's got heaps of talent , he 's willing to work and sure to get on , he 's so energetic and brave . Everyone likes and respects him , and I 'm proud to think he cares for me , though I 'm so poor and young and silly , '' said Meg , looking prettier than ever in her earnestness . `` He knows you have got rich relations , child . That 's the secret of his liking , I suspect . '' `` Aunt March , how dare you say such a thing ? John is above such meanness , and I wo n't listen to you a minute if you talk so , '' cried Meg indignantly , forgetting everything but the injustice of the old lady 's suspicions . `` My John would n't marry for money , any more than I would . We are willing to work and we mean to wait . I 'm not afraid of being poor , for I 've been happy so far , and I know I shall be with him because he loves me , and I. . . '' Meg stopped there , remembering all of a sudden that she had n't made up her mind , that she had told ` her John ' to go away , and that he might be overhearing her inconsistent remarks . Aunt March was very angry , for she had set her heart on having her pretty niece make a fine match , and something in the girl 's happy young face made the lonely old woman feel both sad and sour . `` Well , I wash my hands of the whole affair ! You are a willful child , and you 've lost more than you know by this piece of folly . No , I wo n't stop . I 'm disappointed in you , and have n't spirits to see your father now . Do n't expect anything from me when you are married . Your Mr. Brooke 's friends must take care of you . I 'm done with you forever . '' And slamming the door in Meg 's face , Aunt March drove off in high dudgeon .
She seemed to take all the girl 's courage with her , for when left alone , XXXXX stood for a moment , undecided whether to laugh or cry .
Brooke John Meg Mr. affair dudgeon mind minute money suspicions