Returning suddenly to her admonitory tone , she said , dropping her voice , `` If you must have a ` vent ' , Teddy , go and devote yourself to one of the ` pretty , modest girls ' whom you do respect , and not waste your time with the silly ones . '' `` You really advise it ? '' and Laurie looked at her with an odd mixture of anxiety and merriment in his face . `` Yes , I do , but you 'd better wait till you are through college , on the whole , and be fitting yourself for the place meantime . You 're not half good enough for -- well , whoever the modest girl may be . '' and Jo looked a little queer likewise , for a name had almost escaped her . `` That I 'm not ! '' acquiesced Laurie , with an expression of humility quite new to him , as he dropped his eyes and absently wound Jo 's apron tassel round his finger . `` Mercy on us , this will never do , '' thought Jo , adding aloud , `` Go and sing to me . I 'm dying for some music , and always like yours . '' `` I 'd rather stay here , thank you . '' `` Well , you ca n't , there is n't room . Go and make yourself useful , since you are too big to be ornamental . I thought you hated to be tied to a woman 's apron string ? '' retorted Jo , quoting certain rebellious words of his own . `` Ah , that depends on who wears the apron ! '' and Laurie gave an audacious tweak at the tassel . `` Are you going ? '' demanded Jo , diving for the pillow . He fled at once , and the minute it was well , `` Up with the bonnets of bonnie Dundee , '' she slipped away to return no more till the young gentleman departed in high dudgeon .
XXXXX lay long awake that night , and was just dropping off when the sound of a stifled sob made her fly to Beth 's bedside , with the anxious inquiry , `` What is it , dear ? ''
Dundee Jo Laurie Teddy college diving dudgeon gentleman tassel tweak