Poor Mr. Brooke looked as if his lovely castle in the air was tumbling about his ears , for he had never seen Meg in such a mood before , and it rather bewildered him . `` Do you really mean that ? '' he asked anxiously , following her as she walked away . `` Yes , I do . I do n't want to be worried about such things . Father says I need n't , it 's too soon and I 'd rather not . '' `` May n't I hope you 'll change your mind by-and-by ? I 'll wait and say nothing till you have had more time . Do n't play with me , Meg . I did n't think that of you . '' `` Do n't think of me at all . I 'd rather you would n't , '' said Meg , taking a naughty satisfaction in trying her lover 's patience and her own power . He was grave and pale now , and looked decidedly more like the novel heroes whom she admired , but he neither slapped his forehead nor tramped about the room as they did . He just stood looking at her so wistfully , so tenderly , that she found her heart relenting in spite of herself . What would have happened next I can not say , if Aunt March had not come hobbling in at this interesting minute . The old lady could n't resist her longing to see her nephew , for she had met Laurie as she took her airing , and hearing of Mr. March 's arrival , drove straight out to see him . The family were all busy in the back part of the house , and she had made her way quietly in , hoping to surprise them . She did surprise two of them so much that Meg started as if she had seen a ghost , and Mr. Brooke vanished into the study . `` Bless me , what 's all this ? '' cried the old lady with a rap of her cane as she glanced from the pale young gentleman to the scarlet young lady .
`` It 's XXXXX 's friend .
Brooke Father Laurie Meg airing by-and-by minute nephew rap satisfaction