That was the boy 's affair . How is the poor woman ? '' `` Doing nicely , sir . '' And off went Jo , talking very fast , as she told all about the Hummels , in whom her mother had interested richer friends than they were . `` Just her father 's way of doing good . I shall come and see your mother some fine day . Tell her so . There 's the tea bell , we have it early on the boy 's account . Come down and go on being neighborly . '' `` If you 'd like to have me , sir . '' `` Should n't ask you , if I did n't . '' And Mr. Laurence offered her his arm with old-fashioned courtesy . `` What would Meg say to this ? '' thought Jo , as she was marched away , while her eyes danced with fun as she imagined herself telling the story at home . `` Hey ! Why , what the dickens has come to the fellow ? '' said the old gentleman , as Laurie came running downstairs and brought up with a start of surprise at the astounding sight of Jo arm in arm with his redoubtable grandfather . `` I did n't know you 'd come , sir , '' he began , as Jo gave him a triumphant little glance . `` That 's evident , by the way you racket downstairs . Come to your tea , sir , and behave like a gentleman . ''
And having pulled the boy 's hair by way of a caress , Mr. Laurence walked on , while XXXXX went through a series of comic evolutions behind their backs , which nearly produced an explosion of laughter from Jo .
Hummels Jo Laurence Laurie Meg boy day father gentleman woman