`` No , your grandfather kindly offered us his best , and Aunt March actually sent some , but Father put away a little for Beth , and dispatched the rest to the Soldier 's Home . You know he thinks that wine should be used only in illness , and Mother says that neither she nor her daughters will ever offer it to any young man under her roof . '' Meg spoke seriously and expected to see Laurie frown or laugh , but he did neither , for after a quick look at her , he said , in his impetuous way , `` I like that ! For I 've seen enough harm done to wish other women would think as you do . '' `` You are not made wise by experience , I hope ? '' and there was an anxious accent in Meg 's voice . `` No . I give you my word for it . Do n't think too well of me , either , this is not one of my temptations . Being brought up where wine is as common as water and almost as harmless , I do n't care for it , but when a pretty girl offers it , one does n't like to refuse , you see . '' `` But you will , for the sake of others , if not for your own . Come , Laurie , promise , and give me one more reason to call this the happiest day of my life . '' A demand so sudden and so serious made the young man hesitate a moment , for ridicule is often harder to bear than self-denial . Meg knew that if he gave the promise he would keep it at all costs , and feeling her power , used it as a woman may for her friend 's good . She did not speak , but she looked up at him with a face made very eloquent by happiness , and a smile which said , `` No one can refuse me anything today . '' Laurie certainly could not , and with an answering smile , he gave her his hand , saying heartily , `` I promise , Mrs. Brooke ! '' `` I thank you , very , very much . '' `` And I drink ` long life to your resolution ' , Teddy , '' cried Jo , baptizing him with a splash of lemonade , as she waved her glass and beamed approvingly upon him . So the toast was drunk , the pledge made and loyally kept in spite of many temptations , for with instinctive wisdom , the girls seized a happy moment to do their friend a service , for which he thanked them all his life . After lunch , people strolled about , by twos and threes , through the house and garden , enjoying the sunshine without and within .
Meg and John happened to be standing together in the middle of the grass plot , when Laurie was seized with an inspiration which XXXXX the finishing touch to this unfashionable wedding .
Come call kept knew promise put saying sent spoke thank