`` If that 's the way he 's going to grow up , I wish he 'd stay a boy , '' she thought , with a curious sense of disappointment and discomfort , trying meantime to seem quite easy and gay . At Avigdor 's she found the precious home letters and , giving the reins to Laurie , read them luxuriously as they wound up the shady road between green hedges , where tea roses bloomed as freshly as in June . `` Beth is very poorly , Mother says . I often think I ought to go home , but they all say ` stay ' . So I do , for I shall never have another chance like this , '' said Amy , looking sober over one page . `` I think you are right , there . You could do nothing at home , and it is a great comfort to them to know that you are well and happy , and enjoying so much , my dear . '' He drew a little nearer , and looked more like his old self as he said that , and the fear that sometimes weighed on Amy 's heart was lightened , for the look , the act , the brotherly ` my dear ' , seemed to assure her that if any trouble did come , she would not be alone in a strange land . Presently she laughed and showed him a small sketch of Jo in her scribbling suit , with the bow rampantly erect upon her cap , and issuing from her mouth the words , ` Genius burns ! ' . Laurie smiled , took it , put it in his vest pocket ` to keep it from blowing away ' , and listened with interest to the lively letter Amy read him . `` This will be a regularly merry Christmas to me , with presents in the morning , you and letters in the afternoon , and a party at night , '' said Amy , as they alighted among the ruins of the old fort , and a flock of splendid peacocks came trooping about them , tamely waiting to be fed . While Amy stood laughing on the bank above him as she scattered crumbs to the brilliant birds , Laurie looked at her as she had looked at him , with a natural curiosity to see what changes time and absence had wrought . He found nothing to perplex or disappoint , much to admire and approve , for overlooking a few little affectations of speech and manner , she was as sprightly and graceful as ever , with the addition of that indescribable something in dress and bearing which we call elegance . Always mature for her age , she had gained a certain aplomb in both carriage and conversation , which made her seem more of a woman of the world than she was , but her old petulance now and then showed itself , her strong will still held its own , and her native frankness was unspoiled by foreign polish . Laurie did not read all this while he watched her feed the peacocks , but he saw enough to satisfy and interest him , and carried away a pretty little picture of a bright-faced girl standing in the sunshine , which brought out the soft hue of her dress , the fresh color of her cheeks , the golden gloss of her hair , and made her a prominent figure in the pleasant scene . As they came up onto the stone plateau that crowns the hill , Amy waved her hand as if welcoming him to her favorite haunt , and said , pointing here and there , `` Do you remember the Cathedral and the Corso , the fishermen dragging their nets in the bay , and the lovely road to Villa Franca , Schubert 's Tower , just below , and best of all , that speck far out to sea which they say is Corsica ? '' `` I remember . It 's not much changed , '' he answered without enthusiasm . `` What Jo would give for a sight of that famous speck ! ''
XXXXX Amy , feeling in good spirits and anxious to see him so also .
brought came changed dragging drew give keep said scribbling welcoming