`` Our cat ran away once , and he brought her back , and we talked over the fence , and were getting on capitally , all about cricket , and so on , when he saw Meg coming , and walked off . I mean to know him some day , for he needs fun , I 'm sure he does , '' said Jo decidedly . `` I like his manners , and he looks like a little gentleman , so I 've no objection to your knowing him , if a proper opportunity comes . He brought the flowers himself , and I should have asked him in , if I had been sure what was going on upstairs . He looked so wistful as he went away , hearing the frolic and evidently having none of his own . '' `` It 's a mercy you did n't , Mother ! '' laughed Jo , looking at her boots . `` But we 'll have another play sometime that he can see . Perhaps he 'll help act . Would n't that be jolly ? '' `` I never had such a fine bouquet before ! How pretty it is ! '' And Meg examined her flowers with great interest . `` They are lovely . But Beth 's roses are sweeter to me , '' said Mrs. March , smelling the half-dead posy in her belt . Beth nestled up to her , and whispered softly , `` I wish I could send my bunch to Father . I 'm afraid he is n't having such a merry Christmas as we are . '' CHAPTER THREE THE LAURENCE BOY `` Jo ! Jo ! Where are you ? ''
cried XXXXX at the foot of the garret stairs .
Beth Father Jo Meg Mother day interest mercy posy upstairs