`` I 'll never tell him to my dying day , wild horses sha n't drag it out of me , so you 'll forgive me , Meg , and I 'll do anything to show how out-and-out sorry I am , '' he added , looking very much ashamed of himself . `` I 'll try , but it was a very ungentlemanly thing to do , I did n't think you could be so sly and malicious , Laurie , '' replied Meg , trying to hide her maidenly confusion under a gravely reproachful air . `` It was altogether abominable , and I do n't deserve to be spoken to for a month , but you will , though , wo n't you ? '' And Laurie folded his hands together with such and imploring gesture , as he spoke in his irresistibly persuasive tone , that it was impossible to frown upon him in spite of his scandalous behavior . Meg pardoned him , and Mrs. March 's grave face relaxed , in spite of her efforts to keep sober , when she heard him declare that he would atone for his sins by all sorts of penances , and abase himself like a worm before the injured damsel . Jo stood aloof , meanwhile , trying to harden her heart against him , and succeeding only in primming up her face into an expression of entire disapprobation . Laurie looked at her once or twice , but as she showed no sign of relenting , he felt injured , and turned his back on her till the others were done with him , when he made her a low bow and walked off without a word . As soon as he had gone , she wished she had been more forgiving , and when Meg and her mother went upstairs , she felt lonely and longed for Teddy . After resisting for some time , she yielded to the impulse , and armed with a book to return , went over to the big house . `` Is Mr. Laurence in ? '' asked Jo , of a housemaid , who was coming downstairs . `` Yes , Miss , but I do n't believe he 's seeable just yet . '' `` Why not ? Is he ill ? '' `` La , no Miss , but he 's had a scene with Mr. Laurie , who is in one of his tantrums about something , which vexes the old gentleman , so I durs n't go nigh him . '' `` Where is Laurie ? '' `` Shut up in his room , and he wo n't answer , though I 've been a-tapping . I do n't know what 's to become of the dinner , for it 's ready , and there 's no one to eat it . '' `` I 'll go and see what the matter is . I 'm not afraid of either of them . ''
Up XXXXX Jo , and knocked smartly on the door of Laurie 's little study .
've abase armed believe know looked see sha walked went