was the consoling answer . For a minute Jo 's heart stood still , as he swung himself down the bank toward the river , but it takes much folly , sin or misery to send a young man to a violent death , and Laurie was not one of the weak sort who are conquered by a single failure . He had no thought of a melodramatic plunge , but some blind instinct led him to fling hat and coat into his boat , and row away with all his might , making better time up the river than he had done in any race . Jo drew a long breath and unclasped her hands as she watched the poor fellow trying to outstrip the trouble which he carried in his heart . `` That will do him good , and he 'll come home in such a tender , penitent state of mind , that I sha n't dare to see him , '' she said , adding , as she went slowly home , feeling as if she had murdered some innocent thing , and buried it under the leaves . `` Now I must go and prepare Mr. Laurence to be very kind to my poor boy . I wish he 'd love Beth , perhaps he may in time , but I begin to think I was mistaken about her . Oh dear ! How can girls like to have lovers and refuse them ? I think it 's dreadful . '' Being sure that no one could do it so well as herself , she went straight to Mr. Laurence , told the hard story bravely through , and then broke down , crying so dismally over her own insensibility that the kind old gentleman , though sorely disappointed , did not utter a reproach . He found it difficult to understand how any girl could help loving Laurie , and hoped she would change her mind , but he knew even better than Jo that love can not be forced , so he shook his head sadly and resolved to carry his boy out of harm 's way , for Young Impetuosity 's parting words to Jo disturbed him more than he would confess . When Laurie came home , dead tired but quite composed , his grandfather met him as if he knew nothing , and kept up the delusion very successfully for an hour or two . But when they sat together in the twilight , the time they used to enjoy so much , it was hard work for the old man to ramble on as usual , and harder still for the young one to listen to praises of the last year 's success , which to him now seemed like love 's labor lost . He bore it as long as he could , then went to his piano and began to play . The windows were open , and Jo , walking in the garden with Beth , for once understood music better than her sister , for he played the ' Sonata Pathetique ' , and played it as he never did before . `` That 's very fine , I dare say , but it 's sad enough to make one cry . Give us something gayer , lad , '' said Mr. Laurence , whose kind old heart was full of sympathy , which he longed to show but knew not how . Laurie dashed into a livelier strain , played stormily for several minutes , and would have got through bravely , if in a momentary lull Mrs. March 's voice had not been heard calling , `` Jo , dear , come in . I want you . ''
Just what XXXXX longed to say , with a different meaning !
Beth Impetuosity Jo Laurence Laurie Pathetique gayer hour minutes twilight