Up he got , groped his way to the piano , laid a kind hand on either of the broad shoulders , and said , as gently as a woman , `` I know , my boy , I know . '' No answer for an instant , then Laurie asked sharply , `` Who told you ? '' `` Jo herself . '' `` Then there 's an end of it ! '' And he shook off his grandfather 's hands with an impatient motion , for though grateful for the sympathy , his man 's pride could not bear a man 's pity . `` Not quite . I want to say one thing , and then there shall be an end of it , '' returned Mr. Laurence with unusual mildness . `` You wo n't care to stay at home now , perhaps ? '' `` I do n't intend to run away from a girl . Jo ca n't prevent my seeing her , and I shall stay and do it as long as I like , '' interrupted Laurie in a defiant tone . `` Not if you are the gentleman I think you . I 'm disappointed , but the girl ca n't help it , and the only thing left for you to do is to go away for a time . Where will you go ? '' `` Anywhere . I do n't care what becomes of me , '' and Laurie got up with a reckless laugh that grated on his grandfather 's ear . `` Take it like a man , and do n't do anything rash , for God 's sake . Why not go abroad , as you planned , and forget it ? '' `` I ca n't . '' `` But you 've been wild to go , and I promised you should when you got through college . '' `` Ah , but I did n't mean to go alone ! ''
and XXXXX walked fast through the room with an expression which it was well his grandfather did not see .
God Jo Laurence Laurie end girl home left mildness sympathy