As she spoke , Jo bent over the leaves to hide the trembling of her lips , for lately she had felt that Margaret was fast getting to be a woman , and Laurie 's secret made her dread the separation which must surely come some time and now seemed very near . He saw the trouble in her face and drew Meg 's attention from it by asking quickly , `` Where have you been calling , all so fine ? '' `` At the Gardiners ' , and Sallie has been telling me all about Belle Moffat 's wedding . It was very splendid , and they have gone to spend the winter in Paris . Just think how delightful that must be ! '' `` Do you envy her , Meg ? '' said Laurie . `` I 'm afraid I do . '' `` I 'm glad of it ! '' muttered Jo , tying on her hat with a jerk . `` Why ? '' asked Meg , looking surprised . `` Because if you care much about riches , you will never go and marry a poor man , '' said Jo , frowning at Laurie , who was mutely warning her to mind what she said . `` I shall never ' go and marry ' anyone , '' observed Meg , walking on with great dignity while the others followed , laughing , whispering , skipping stones , and ` behaving like children ' , as Meg said to herself , though she might have been tempted to join them if she had not had her best dress on . For a week or two , Jo behaved so queerly that her sisters were quite bewildered . She rushed to the door when the postman rang , was rude to Mr. Brooke whenever they met , would sit looking at Meg with a woe-begone face , occasionally jumping up to shake and then kiss her in a very mysterious manner . Laurie and she were always making signs to one another , and talking about ` Spread Eagles ' till the girls declared they had both lost their wits . On the second Saturday after Jo got out of the window , Meg , as she sat sewing at her window , was scandalized by the sight of Laurie chasing Jo all over the garden and finally capturing her in Amy 's bower . What went on there , Meg could not see , but shrieks of laughter were heard , followed by the murmur of voices and a great flapping of newspapers . `` What shall we do with that girl ?
She never will behave like a young lady , '' sighed XXXXX , as she watched the race with a disapproving face .
Gardiners Jo Laurie Margaret Meg Moffat Paris Sallie shrieks week