Laurie Makes Mischief, and Jo Makes Peace

           Jo’sfacewasastudynextday,forthesecretratherweigheduponher,andshefoundithardnottolookmysteriousandimportant.Megobservedit,butdidnottroubleherselftomakeinquiries,forshehadlearnedthatthebestwaytomanageJowasbythelawofcontraries,soshefeltsureofbeingtoldeverythingifshedidnotask.Shewasrathersurprised,therefore,whenthesilenceremainedunbroken,andJoassumedapatronizingair,whichdecidedlyaggravatedMeg,whointurnassumedanairofdignifiedreserveanddevotedherselftohermother.ThisleftJotoherowndevices,forMrs.Marchhadtakenherplaceasnurse,andbadeherrest,exercise,andamuseherselfafterherlongconfinement.Amybeinggone,Lauriewasheronlyrefuge,andmuchassheenjoyedhissociety,sheratherdreadedhimjustthen,forhewasanincorrigibletease,andshefearedhewouldcoaxthesecretfromher.

           Shewasquiteright,forthemischief-lovingladnosoonersuspectedamysterythanhesethimselftofinditout,andledJoatryinglifeofit.Hewheedled,bribed,ridiculed,threatened,andscolded;affectedindifference,thathemightsurprisethetruthfromher;declaredheknew,thenthathedidn’tcare;andatlast,bydintofperseverance,hesatisfiedhimselfthatitconcernedMegandMr.Brooke.Feelingindignantthathewasnottakenintohistutor’sconfidence,hesethiswitstoworktodevisesomeproperretaliationfortheslight.