Down they went , feeling a trifle timid , for they seldom went to parties , and informal as this little gathering was , it was an event to them . Mrs. Gardiner , a stately old lady , greeted them kindly and handed them over to the eldest of her six daughters . Meg knew Sallie and was at her ease very soon , but Jo , who did n't care much for girls or girlish gossip , stood about , with her back carefully against the wall , and felt as much out of place as a colt in a flower garden . Half a dozen jovial lads were talking about skates in another part of the room , and she longed to go and join them , for skating was one of the joys of her life . She telegraphed her wish to Meg , but the eyebrows went up so alarmingly that she dared not stir . No one came to talk to her , and one by one the group dwindled away till she was left alone . She could not roam about and amuse herself , for the burned breadth would show , so she stared at people rather forlornly till the dancing began . Meg was asked at once , and the tight slippers tripped about so briskly that none would have guessed the pain their wearer suffered smilingly . Jo saw a big red headed youth approaching her corner , and fearing he meant to engage her , she slipped into a curtained recess , intending to peep and enjoy herself in peace . Unfortunately , another bashful person had chosen the same refuge , for , as the curtain fell behind her , she found herself face to face with the ` Laurence boy ' . `` Dear me , I did n't know anyone was here ! '' stammered Jo , preparing to back out as speedily as she had bounced in . But the boy laughed and said pleasantly , though he looked a little startled , `` Do n't mind me , stay if you like . '' `` Sha n't I disturb you ? '' `` Not a bit . I only came here because I do n't know many people and felt rather strange at first , you know . '' `` So did I. Do n't go away , please , unless you 'd rather . '' The boy sat down again and looked at his pumps , till Jo said , trying to be polite and easy , `` I think I 've had the pleasure of seeing you before . You live near us , do n't you ? '' `` Next door . ''
And he XXXXX up and laughed outright , for Jo 's prim manner was rather funny when he remembered how they had chatted about cricket when he brought the cat home .
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