Jo Meets Apollyon

           "Girls,whereareyougoing?"askedAmy,comingintotheirroomoneSaturdayafternoon,andfindingthemgettingreadytogooutwithanairofsecrecywhichexcitedhercuriosity.

           "Nevermind.Littlegirlsshouldn’taskquestions,"returnedJosharply.

           Nowifthereisanythingmortifyingtoourfeelingswhenweareyoung,itistobetoldthat,andtobebiddento"runaway,dear"isstillmoretryingtous.Amybridledupatthisinsult,anddeterminedtofindoutthesecret,ifsheteasedforanhour.TurningtoMeg,whoneverrefusedheranythingverylong,shesaidcoaxingly,"Dotellme!Ishouldthinkyoumightletmego,too,forBethisfussingoverherpiano,andIhaven’tgotanythingtodo,andamsolonely."

           "Ican’t,dear,becauseyouaren’tinvited,"beganMeg,butJobrokeinimpatiently,"Now,Meg,bequietoryouwillspoilitall.Youcan’tgo,Amy,sodon’tbeababyandwhineaboutit."

           "YouaregoingsomewherewithLaurie,Iknowyouare.Youwerewhisperingandlaughingtogetheronthesofalastnight,andyoustoppedwhenIcamein.Aren’tyougoingwithhim?"

           "Yes,weare.Nowdobestill,andstopbothering."

           Amyheldhertongue,butusedhereyes,andsawMegslipafanintoherpocket.

           "Iknow!Iknow!You’regoingtothetheatertoseetheSevenCastles!"shecried,addingresolutely,"andIshallgo,forMothersaidImightseeit,andI’vegotmyragmoney,anditwasmeannottotellmeintime."

           "Justlistentomeaminute,andbeagoodchild,"saidMegsoothingly.