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Chapter 21 Laurie Makes Mischief and Joe Makes Peace Joe's face was a study the next day,
For the secret rather weighed upon her and she found it hard not to look mysterious and important.
Meg observed it but did not trouble herself to make inquiries,
For she had learned that the best way to manage Joe was by the law of contraries,
So she felt sure of being told everything if she did not ask.
She was rather surprised,
Therefore,
When the silence remained unbroken and Joe assumed a patronising air,
Which decidedly aggravated Meg,
Who in her turn assumed an air of dignified reserve and devoted herself to her mother.
This left Joan to her own devices,
For Mrs March had taken her place as nurse and made her rest,
Exercise and amuse herself after her long confinement.
Amy being gone,
Laurie was her only refuge.
And much as she enjoyed his society,
She rather dreaded him just then,
For he was an incorrigible tease and she feared he would coax her secret from her.
She was quite right,
For the mischief-loving lad no sooner suspected a mystery than he set himself to find it out,
And led Joe a trying life of it.
He wheedled,
Bribed,
Ridiculed,
Threatened and scolded,
Effected indifference that he might surprise the truth from her,
Declared he knew that he didn't care,
And at last by dint of perseverance he satisfied himself with concerned Meg and Mr Brooke.
Feeling indignant he was not taken into his tutor's confidence,
He set his wicks to work to devise some proper retaliation for the slight.
Meg meanwhile had apparently forgotten the matter,
And was absorbed in preparations for her father's return,
But all of a sudden a change seemed to come over her,
And for a day or two she was quite unlike herself.
She started when spoken to,
Blushed when looked at,
Was very quiet and sat over her sewing with a timid troubled look on her face.
To her mother's enquiry she answered she was quite well,
And Joe's enquiry she silenced by begging to be let alone.
She feels it in the air,
Love I mean,
And she's going very fast,
Said Joe,
She's got most of the symptoms,
She's twittery and cross,
Doesn't eat,
Lies awake and mopes in corners.
I caught her singing that song he gave her,
And once she said John,
As you do.
Mrs March replied,
Just wait,
Let her alone,
Be kind and patient,
And father's coming will settle everything.
Here's a note for you Meg,
Said Joe the next day,
It's all sealed up,
How odd,
Teddy never seals mine.
She distributed the contents of the little post office.
Mrs March was deep in her own affairs when a sound from Meg made her look up to see her staring at her note with a frightened face.
What is it my child,
She cried,
Running to her.
Joe tried to take the paper which had done the mischief.
It's all a mistake,
He didn't send it,
Oh Joe,
How could you do it?
Meg hid her face in her hands,
Crying as if her heart was broken.
Me,
I've done nothing,
Said Joe,
What's she talking about?
Meg's mild eyes kindled with anger as she pulled a crumpled note from her pocket and threw it at Joe,
Saying reproachfully,
You wrote it and that bad boy helped you,
How could you be so mean,
So rude and cruel to us both?
But Joe had hardly heard her,
For she and her mother were reading the note which was written in a peculiar hand.
My dearest Margaret,
I can no longer restrain my passion and must know my fate before I return.
I dare not tell your parents yet,
But I think they would consent if they knew we adore one another.
Mr Lawrence will help me to some good place and then my sweet girl,
You will make me happy.
I implore you to say nothing to your family yet,
But send one word of hope through Laurie to your devoted John.
The little villain,
That's the way he meant to pay me for keeping my word to mother,
I'll give him a hearty scolding and bring him over to beg pardon,
Cried Joe.
But Mrs March held her back.
Stop Joe,
You must clear yourself first,
You've played so many pranks I'm afraid you've never had a hand in this.
My word mother,
I haven't,
Said Joe.
I never saw the note before and I don't know anything about it,
As true as I live.
If I had taken a part in it,
I'd have done a better job than this and I'd have written a sensible note.
I should think you'd have known Mr Brooke wouldn't write such stuff as that.
It is like his writing,
Faltered Meg,
Comparing it with the note in her hand.
Oh Meg,
You didn't answer it,
Cried Mrs March.
Yes I did,
Said Meg.
Then she hid her face again,
Overcome with shame.
Here's a scrape,
Do let me bring that wicked boy over to explain and be lectured,
Said Joe.
I can't rest till I get my hands on him.
Hush now,
Let me manage this,
Said Mrs March.
I received the first letter from Laurie,
Who didn't look as if he knew anything about it,
Began Meg,
Without looking up.
I was worried at first and I meant to tell you,
Then I remembered how you liked Mr Brooke so I thought you wouldn't mind if I kept my little secret for a few days.
I'm so silly mother,
I like to think no one knew.
While I was deciding what to say I felt like the girls in the books who have such things to do.
Please forgive me,
I'm paid for my silliness now,
I can never look him in the face again.
What did you say to him?
Asked Mrs March.
I only said I was too young to do anything about it yet.
I didn't wish to have secrets from you and I must speak to father.
I was very grateful for his kindness and would be his friend but nothing more for a long while.
Mrs March smiled as if well pleased and Jo clapped her hands.
You are almost equal to Caroline Percy was a pattern of prudence,
She exclaimed.
Tell on now Meg,
What did he say to that?
He writes in a different way entirely telling me he never sent me any love letter at all and is very sorry that my roguish sister Jo should take such liberties with our names.
It's very kind and respectful but how dreadful for me.
Meg leaned against her mother looking the image of despair and Jo tramped round the room calling lorry names.
Then all of a sudden she stopped,
Caught up the two notes and after looking at them closely said decidedly,
I don't believe Brooke ever saw either of these letters.
Teddy wrote both and he keeps yours to crow over me with because I wouldn't tell him my secret.
Don't have any secrets Jo,
Tell it to mother and keep out of trouble as I should have done said Meg warningly.
Bless you child,
Mother told me.
That will do Jo,
I'll comfort Meg while you go and get lorry said Mrs March.
I shall sift the matter to the bottom and put a stop to such pranks at once.
Away ran Jo and Mrs March gently told Meg Mr Brooke's real feelings.
Now dear what are your own?
Do you love him enough to wait till he can make a home for you?
Or will you keep yourself quite free for the present?
I've been so scared and worried mother.
I don't want to have anything to do with lovers for a long while,
Perhaps never answered Meg petulantly.
If John doesn't know anything about this nonsense don't tell him and make Jo and lorry hold their tongues.
I won't be deceived and played and made a fool of.
It's a shame.
Seeing that Meg's usually gentle temper was roused and her pride hurt by this mischievous joke Mrs March soothes her by promises of entire silence and great discretion.
Then lorry's step was heard in the hall.
Meg fled into the study and Mrs March received the culprit alone.
Jo had not told him why he was wanted fearing he wouldn't come but he knew the minute he saw Mrs March's face.
He stood twirling his hat with a guilty air which convicted him at once.
Jo was dismissed but chose to march up and down the hall like a sentinel having some fear that the prisoner might bolt.
The sound of the voices in the parlour rose and fell for half an hour.
What happened during that interview the girls never knew.
When they were called in lorry was standing by their mother with such a penitent face that Jo forgave him on the spot.
She did not think it wise to betray the fact.
Meg received his humble apology and was much comforted by the assurance that Brooke knew nothing of the joke.
I'll never tell him to my dying day said lorry.
Wild horses shan't drag it out of me so you'll forgive me Meg and I'll do anything to show you how out and out sorry I am.
I'll try said Meg but it was a very ungentlemanly thing to do.
I didn't think you could be so sly and malicious lorry.
Lorry looked crestfallen.
It was altogether abominable.
I don't deserve to be spoken to for a month but you will though won't you?
Meg then pardoned him and Mrs March's grave face relaxed in spite of her efforts to keep sober.
When she heard him declare he would atone for his sins by all sorts of penances and abase himself like a worm.
Before the injured damsel.
Joe stood aloof meanwhile trying hard to harden her heart against him.
Lorry looked at her once or twice but as she showed no sign of relenting he felt injured and turned his back on her till the others were done.
Then he made a low bow and walked off without a word.
As soon as he had gone Joe wished she had been more forgiving and when Meg and her mother went upstairs she felt lonely.
After resisting for some time she yielded to the impulse and armed with a book went over to the big house.
