Beth started , leaned forward , smiled and nodded , watched the passer-by till his quick tramp died away , then said softly as if to herself , `` How strong and well and happy that dear boy looks . '' `` Hum ! '' said Jo , still intent upon her sister 's face , for the bright color faded as quickly as it came , the smile vanished , and presently a tear lay shining on the window ledge . Beth whisked it off , and in her half-averted face read a tender sorrow that made her own eyes fill . Fearing to betray herself , she slipped away , murmuring something about needing more paper . `` Mercy on me , Beth loves Laurie ! '' she said , sitting down in her own room , pale with the shock of the discovery which she believed she had just made . `` I never dreamed of such a thing . What will Mother say ? I wonder if her ... '' there Jo stopped and turned scarlet with a sudden thought . `` If he should n't love back again , how dreadful it would be . He must . I 'll make him ! '' and she shook her head threateningly at the picture of the mischievous-looking boy laughing at her from the wall . `` Oh dear , we are growing up with a vengeance . Here 's Meg married and a mamma , Amy flourishing away at Paris , and Beth in love . I 'm the only one that has sense enough to keep out of mischief . '' Jo thought intently for a minute with her eyes fixed on the picture , then she smoothed out her wrinkled forehead and said , with a decided nod at the face opposite , `` No thank you , sir , you 're very charming , but you 've no more stability than a weathercock . So you need n't write touching notes and smile in that insinuating way , for it wo n't do a bit of good , and I wo n't have it . '' Then she sighed , and fell into a reverie from which she did not wake till the early twilight sent her down to take new observations , which only confirmed her suspicion .
Though Laurie flirted with Amy and joked with XXXXX , his manner to Beth had always been peculiarly kind and gentle , but so was everybody 's .
Amy Beth Jo Laurie Meg Mother Paris minute twilight weathercock