`` Me ! I 've done nothing ! What 's she talking about ? '' cried Jo , bewildered . Meg 's mild eyes kindled with anger as she pulled a crumpled note from her pocket and threw it at Jo , saying reproachfully , `` You wrote it , and that bad boy helped you . How could you be so rude , so mean , and cruel to us both ? '' Jo 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 that we adored one another . Mr. Laurence 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 to send one word of hope through Laurie to , `` Your devoted John . '' `` Oh , 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 Jo , burning to execute immediate justice . But her mother held her back , saying , with a look she seldom wore ... `` Stop , Jo , you must clear yourself first . You have played so many pranks that I am afraid you have had a hand in this . '' `` On my word , Mother , I have n't ! I never saw that note before , and do n't know anything about it , as true as I live ! '' said Jo , so earnestly that they believed her . `` If I had taken part in it I 'd have done it better than this , and have written a sensible note .
I should XXXXX you 'd have known Mr. Brooke would n't write such stuff as that , '' she added , scornfully tossing down the paper .
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