CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE LAURIE MAKES MISCHIEF , AND JO MAKES PEACE Jo 's face was a study next day , for the secret rather weighed upon her , and she found it hard not to look mysterious and important . Meg observed it , but did not trouble herself to make inquiries , for she had learned that the best way to manage Jo was by the law of contraries , so she felt sure of being told everything if she did not ask . She was rather surprised , therefore , when the silence remained unbroken , and Jo assumed a patronizing air , which decidedly aggravated Meg , who in turn assumed an air of dignified reserve and devoted herself to her mother . This left Jo to her own devices , for Mrs. March had taken her place as nurse , and bade her rest , exercise , and amuse herself after her long confinement . Amy being gone , Laurie was her only refuge , and much as she enjoyed his society , she rather dreaded him just then , for he was an incorrigible tease , and she feared he would coax the secret from her . She was quite right , for the mischief-loving lad no sooner suspected a mystery than he set himself to find it out , and led Jo a trying life of it . He wheedled , bribed , ridiculed , threatened , and scolded ; affected indifference , that he might surprise the truth from her ; declared he knew , then that he did n't care ; and at last , by dint of perseverance , he satisfied himself that it concerned Meg and Mr. Brooke . Feeling indignant that he was not taken into his tutor 's confidence , he set his wits to work to devise some proper retaliation for the slight . Meg meanwhile had apparently forgotten the matter and was absorbed in preparations for her father 's return , but all of a sudden a change seemed to come over her , and , for a day or two , she was quite unlike herself . She started when spoken to , blushed when looked at , was very quiet , and sat over her sewing , with a timid , troubled look on her face . To her mother 's inquiries she answered that she was quite well , and Jo 's she silenced by begging to be let alone . `` She feels it in the air -- love , I mean -- and she 's going very fast . She 's got most of the symptoms -- is twittery and cross , does n't eat , lies awake , and mopes in corners . I caught her singing that song he gave her , and once she said ` John ' , as you do , and then turned as red as a poppy . Whatever shall we do ? '' said Jo , looking ready for any measures , however violent . `` Nothing but wait . Let her alone , be kind and patient , and Father 's coming will settle everything , '' replied her mother . `` Here 's a note to you , Meg , all sealed up . How odd !
Teddy never seals mine , '' XXXXX Jo next day , as she distributed the contents of the little post office .
assumed found manage mean said satisfied settle surprise turned weighed