`` Did n't you do it yourself ? '' asked Nan , whose keen little eyes saw some traces of a kindred spirit in the serious lady who was sewing so morally before her . Mrs. Jo laughed , and owned that she did . `` Tell about it , '' demanded Nan , feeling that she was getting the upper hand in the discussion . Mrs. Jo saw that , and sobered down at once , saying , with a remorseful shake of the head , `` I did it a good many times , and led my poor mother rather a hard life with my pranks , till she cured me . '' `` How ? '' and Nan sat up with a face full of interest . `` I had a new pair of shoes once , and wanted to show them ; so , though I was told not to leave the garden , I ran away and was wandering about all day . It was in the city , and why I was n't killed I do n't know . Such a time as I had . I frolicked in the park with dogs , sailed boats in the Back Bay with strange boys , dined with a little Irish beggar-girl on salt fish and potatoes , and was found at last fast asleep on a door-step with my arms round a great dog . It was late in the evening , and I was a dirty as a little pig , and the new shoes were worn out I had travelled so far . '' `` How nice ! '' cried Nan , looking all ready to go and do it herself . `` It was not nice next day ; '' and Mrs. Jo tried to keep her eyes from betraying how much she enjoyed the memory of her early capers . `` Did your mother whip you ? '' asked Nan , curiously . `` She never whipped me but once , and then she begged my pardon , or I do n't think I ever should have forgiven her , it hurt my feelings so much . '' `` Why did she beg your pardon ? my father do n't . ''
`` Because , when she had done it , I turned round and said , ` Well , you are mad yourself , and ought to be XXXXX as much as me . '
Tell begged hurt looking owned saw saying sewing whipped worn