`` What shall I do with him ? '' sighed Jo , finding that emotions were more unmanagable than she expected . `` You have n't heard what I wanted to tell you . Sit down and listen , for indeed I want to do right and make you happy , '' she said , hoping to soothe him with a little reason , which proved that she knew nothing about love . Seeing a ray of hope in that last speech , Laurie threw himself down on the grass at her feet , leaned his arm on the lower step of the stile , and looked up at her with an expectant face . Now that arrangement was not conducive to calm speech or clear thought on Jo 's part , for how could she say hard things to her boy while he watched her with eyes full of love and longing , and lashes still wet with the bitter drop or two her hardness of heart had wrung from him ? She gently turned his head away , saying , as she stroked the wavy hair which had been allowed to grow for her sake -- how touching that was , to be sure ! `` I agree with Mother that you and I are not suited to each other , because our quick tempers and strong wills would probably make us very miserable , if we were so foolish as to ... '' Jo paused a little over the last word , but Laurie uttered it with a rapturous expression . `` Marry -- no we should n't ! If you loved me , Jo , I should be a perfect saint , for you could make me anything you like . '' `` No , I ca n't . I 've tried and failed , and I wo n't risk our happiness by such a serious experiment . We do n't agree and we never shall , so we 'll be good friends all our lives , but we wo n't go and do anything rash . '' `` Yes , we will if we get the chance , '' muttered Laurie rebelliously . `` Now do be reasonable , and take a sensible view of the case , '' implored Jo , almost at her wit 's end . `` I wo n't be reasonable . I do n't want to take what you call ' a sensible view ' . It wo n't help me , and it only makes it harder . I do n't believe you 've got any heart . '' `` I wish I had n't . ''
There was a little quiver in Jo 's voice , and thinking it a good omen , Laurie turned round , bringing all his persuasive powers to bear as he XXXXX , in the wheedlesome tone that had never been so dangerously wheedlesome before , `` Do n't disappoint us , dear !
Sit heard listen said saying stroked turned uttered want wish