It was on the tip of Jo 's tongue to ask , but she checked herself in time and , with unusual tact , tried to find out in a round-about way . `` I suppose you are going to college soon ? I see you pegging away at your books , no , I mean studying hard . '' And Jo blushed at the dreadful ` pegging ' which had escaped her . Laurie smiled but did n't seem shocked , and answered with a shrug . `` Not for a year or two . I wo n't go before seventeen , anyway . '' `` Are n't you but fifteen ? '' asked Jo , looking at the tall lad , whom she had imagined seventeen already . `` Sixteen , next month . '' `` How I wish I was going to college ! You do n't look as if you liked it . '' `` I hate it ! Nothing but grinding or skylarking . And I do n't like the way fellows do either , in this country . '' `` What do you like ? '' `` To live in Italy , and to enjoy myself in my own way . '' Jo wanted very much to ask what his own way was , but his black brows looked rather threatening as he knit them , so she changed the subject by saying , as her foot kept time , `` That 's a splendid polka ! Why do n't you go and try it ? '' `` If you will come too , '' he answered , with a gallant little bow .
`` I ca n't , for I told Meg I would n't , because ... '' There XXXXX stopped , and looked undecided whether to tell or to laugh .
Italy Jo Laurie Nothing books college tact time tip year