Laying her head on her arms , Jo wet her little romance with a few happy tears , for she had thought that no one saw and appreciated her efforts to be good , and this assurance was doubly precious , doubly encouraging , because unexpected and from the person whose commendation she most valued . Feeling stronger than ever to meet and subdue her Apollyon , she pinned the note inside her frock , as a shield and a reminder , lest she be taken unaware , and proceeded to open her other letter , quite ready for either good or bad news . In a big , dashing hand , Laurie wrote ... Dear Jo , What ho ! Some English girls and boys are coming to see me tomorrow and I want to have a jolly time . If it 's fine , I 'm going to pitch my tent in Longmeadow , and row up the whole crew to lunch and croquet -- have a fire , make messes , gypsy fashion , and all sorts of larks . They are nice people , and like such things . Brooke will go to keep us boys steady , and Kate Vaughn will play propriety for the girls . I want you all to come , ca n't let Beth off at any price , and nobody shall worry her . Do n't bother about rations , I 'll see to that and everything else , only do come , there 's a good fellow ! In a tearing hurry , Yours ever , Laurie . `` Here 's richness ! '' cried Jo , flying in to tell the news to Meg . `` Of course we can go , Mother ? It will be such a help to Laurie , for I can row , and Meg see to the lunch , and the children be useful in some way . '' `` I hope the Vaughns are not fine grown-up people . Do you know anything about them , Jo ? '' asked Meg . `` Only that there are four of them . Kate is older than you , Fred and Frank -LRB- twins -RRB- about my age , and a little girl -LRB- Grace -RRB- , who is nine or ten . Laurie knew them abroad , and liked the boys .
I fancied , from the way he primmed up his mouth in speaking of her , that he did n't admire XXXXX much . ''
English Jo Kate Longmeadow Mother Vaughn Vaughns croquet fire ho