Come down and go on being neighborly . '' `` If you 'd like to have me , sir . '' `` Should n't ask you , if I did n't . '' And Mr. Laurence offered her his arm with old-fashioned courtesy . `` What would Meg say to this ? '' thought Jo , as she was marched away , while her eyes danced with fun as she imagined herself telling the story at home . `` Hey ! Why , what the dickens has come to the fellow ? '' said the old gentleman , as Laurie came running downstairs and brought up with a start of surprise at the astounding sight of Jo arm in arm with his redoubtable grandfather . `` I did n't know you 'd come , sir , '' he began , as Jo gave him a triumphant little glance . `` That 's evident , by the way you racket downstairs . Come to your tea , sir , and behave like a gentleman . '' And having pulled the boy 's hair by way of a caress , Mr. Laurence walked on , while Laurie went through a series of comic evolutions behind their backs , which nearly produced an explosion of laughter from Jo . The old gentleman did not say much as he drank his four cups of tea , but he watched the young people , who soon chatted away like old friends , and the change in his grandson did not escape him . There was color , light , and life in the boy 's face now , vivacity in his manner , and genuine merriment in his laugh . `` She 's right , the lad is lonely . I 'll see what these little girls can do for him , '' thought Mr. Laurence , as he looked and listened . He liked Jo , for her odd , blunt ways suited him , and she seemed to understand the boy almost as well as if she had been one herself . If the Laurences had been what Jo called ` prim and poky ' , she would not have got on at all , for such people always made her shy and awkward . But finding them free and easy , she was so herself , and made a good impression .
When they rose she proposed to go , but XXXXX said he had something more to show her , and took her away to the conservatory , which had been lighted for her benefit .
Jo Laurence Laurences Laurie Meg escape evolutions glance right tea