I did n't mean to preach or tell tales or be silly . I only thought Jo was encouraging you in a feeling which you 'd be sorry for by-and-by . You are so kind to us , we feel as if you were our brother and say just what we think . Forgive me , I meant it kindly . '' And Meg offered her hand with a gesture both affectionate and timid . Ashamed of his momentary pique , Laurie squeezed the kind little hand , and said frankly , `` I 'm the one to be forgiven . I 'm cross and have been out of sorts all day . I like to have you tell me my faults and be sisterly , so do n't mind if I am grumpy sometimes . I thank you all the same . '' Bent on showing that he was not offended , he made himself as agreeable as possible , wound cotton for Meg , recited poetry to please Jo , shook down cones for Beth , and helped Amy with her ferns , proving himself a fit person to belong to the ` Busy Bee Society ' . In the midst of an animated discussion on the domestic habits of turtles -LRB- one of those amiable creatures having strolled up from the river -RRB- , the faint sound of a bell warned them that Hannah had put the tea ` to draw ' , and they would just have time to get home to supper . `` May I come again ? '' asked Laurie . `` Yes , if you are good , and love your book , as the boys in the primer are told to do , '' said Meg , smiling . `` I 'll try . '' `` Then you may come , and I 'll teach you to knit as the Scotchmen do . There 's a demand for socks just now , '' added Jo , waving hers like a big blue worsted banner as they parted at the gate . That night , when Beth played to Mr. Laurence in the twilight , Laurie , standing in the shadow of the curtain , listened to the little David , whose simple music always quieted his moody spirit , and watched the old man , who sat with his gray head on his hand , thinking tender thoughts of the dead child he had loved so much . Remembering the conversation of the afternoon , the boy said to himself , with the resolve to make the sacrifice cheerfully , `` I 'll let my castle go , and stay with the dear old gentleman while he needs me , for I am all he has . '' CHAPTER FOURTEEN SECRETS Jo was very busy in the garret , for the October days began to grow chilly , and the afternoons were short .
For two or three hours the sun lay warmly in the high window , showing XXXXX seated on the old sofa , writing busily , with her papers spread out upon a trunk before her , while Scrabble , the pet rat , promenaded the beams overhead , accompanied by his oldest son , a fine young fellow , who was evidently very proud of his whiskers .
David Jo Laurence Society afternoons day days garret night primer