Mr. and Mrs. March left the room with speed , and casting herself upon the bed , Jo cried and scolded tempestuously as she told the awful news to Beth and Amy . The little girls , however , considered it a most agreeable and interesting event , and Jo got little comfort from them , so she went up to her refuge in the garret , and confided her troubles to the rats . Nobody ever knew what went on in the parlor that afternoon , but a great deal of talking was done , and quiet Mr. Brooke astonished his friends by the eloquence and spirit with which he pleaded his suit , told his plans , and persuaded them to arrange everything just as he wanted it . The tea bell rang before he had finished describing the paradise which he meant to earn for Meg , and he proudly took her in to supper , both looking so happy that Jo had n't the heart to be jealous or dismal . Amy was very much impressed by John 's devotion and Meg 's dignity , Beth beamed at them from a distance , while Mr. and Mrs. March surveyed the young couple with such tender satisfaction that it was perfectly evident Aunt March was right in calling them as ` unworldly as a pair of babies ' . No one ate much , but everyone looked very happy , and the old room seemed to brighten up amazingly when the first romance of the family began there . `` You ca n't say nothing pleasant ever happens now , can you , Meg ? '' said Amy , trying to decide how she would group the lovers in a sketch she was planning to make . `` No , I 'm sure I ca n't . How much has happened since I said that ! It seems a year ago , '' answered Meg , who was in a blissful dream lifted far above such common things as bread and butter . `` The joys come close upon the sorrows this time , and I rather think the changes have begun , '' said Mrs. March . `` In most families there comes , now and then , a year full of events . This has been such a one , but it ends well , after all . '' `` Hope the next will end better , '' muttered Jo , who found it very hard to see Meg absorbed in a stranger before her face , for Jo loved a few persons very dearly and dreaded to have their affection lost or lessened in any way . `` I hope the third year from this will end better . I mean it shall , if I live to work out my plans , '' said Mr. Brooke , smiling at Meg , as if everything had become possible to him now . `` Does n't it seem very long to wait ? '' asked Amy , who was in a hurry for the wedding . `` I 've got so much to learn before I shall be ready , it seems a short time to me , '' answered Meg , with a sweet gravity in her face never seen there before .
`` You have only to wait , I am to do the work , '' said XXXXX beginning his labors by picking up Meg 's napkin , with an expression which caused Jo to shake her head , and then say to herself with an air of relief as the front door banged , `` Here comes Laurie .
Beth Brooke John Meg afternoon first garret left right year