`` Wait and see if it does n't bring you something worth having , '' replied the boy , laughing at the thought of a charming little secret which he fancied he knew . Meg colored behind the brake , but asked no questions and looked across the river with the same expectant expression which Mr. Brooke had worn when he told the story of the knight . `` If we are all alive ten years hence , let 's meet , and see how many of us have got our wishes , or how much nearer we are then than now , '' said Jo , always ready with a plan . `` Bless me ! How old I shall be , twenty-seven ! '' exclaimed Meg , who felt grown up already , having just reached seventeen . `` You and I will be twenty-six , Teddy , Beth twenty-four , and Amy twenty-two . What a venerable party ! '' said Jo . `` I hope I shall have done something to be proud of by that time , but I 'm such a lazy dog , I 'm afraid I shall dawdle , Jo . '' `` You need a motive , Mother says , and when you get it , she is sure you 'll work splendidly . '' `` Is she ? By Jupiter , I will , if I only get the chance ! '' cried Laurie , sitting up with sudden energy . `` I ought to be satisfied to please Grandfather , and I do try , but it 's working against the grain , you see , and comes hard . He wants me to be an India merchant , as he was , and I 'd rather be shot . I hate tea and silk and spices , and every sort of rubbish his old ships bring , and I do n't care how soon they go to the bottom when I own them . Going to college ought to satisfy him , for if I give him four years he ought to let me off from the business . But he 's set , and I 've got to do just as he did , unless I break away and please myself , as my father did . If there was anyone left to stay with the old gentleman , I 'd do it tomorrow . ''
Laurie spoke excitedly , and XXXXX ready to carry his threat into execution on the slightest provocation , for he was growing up very fast and , in spite of his indolent ways , had a young man 's hatred of subjection , a young man 's restless longing to try the world for himself .
asked colored cried fancied having looked meet said told work