I know you 'll take his part . He 's been good to Father , and you wo n't send him away , but let Meg marry him , if she wants to . Mean thing ! To go petting Papa and helping you , just to wheedle you into liking him . '' And Jo pulled her hair again with a wrathful tweak . `` My dear , do n't get angry about it , and I will tell you how it happened . John went with me at Mr. Laurence 's request , and was so devoted to poor Father that we could n't help getting fond of him . He was perfectly open and honorable about Meg , for he told us he loved her , but would earn a comfortable home before he asked her to marry him . He only wanted our leave to love her and work for her , and the right to make her love him if he could . He is a truly excellent young man , and we could not refuse to listen to him , but I will not consent to Meg 's engaging herself so young . '' `` Of course not . It would be idiotic ! I knew there was mischief brewing . I felt it , and now it 's worse than I imagined . I just wish I could marry Meg myself , and keep her safe in the family . '' This odd arrangement made Mrs. March smile , but she said gravely , `` Jo , I confide in you and do n't wish you to say anything to Meg yet . When John comes back , and I see them together , I can judge better of her feelings toward him . '' `` She 'll see those handsome eyes that she talks about , and then it will be all up with her . She 's got such a soft heart , it will melt like butter in the sun if anyone looks sentimentlly at her . She read the short reports he sent more than she did your letters , and pinched me when I spoke of it , and likes brown eyes , and does n't think John an ugly name , and she 'll go and fall in love , and there 's an end of peace and fun , and cozy times together .
I XXXXX it all !
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