`` They ought to have told me , and not let me go blundering and scolding , when I should have been more kind and patient than ever . I never did like that Miss Randal and now I hate her ! '' said artful Amy , wishing to be sure of her facts this time . `` Hang Miss Randal ! '' and Laurie knocked the hat off his face with a look that left no doubt of his sentiments toward that young lady . `` I beg pardon , I thought ... '' and there she paused diplomatically . `` No , you did n't , you knew perfectly well I never cared for anyone but Jo , '' Laurie said that in his old , impetuous tone , and turned his face away as he spoke . `` I did think so , but as they never said anything about it , and you came away , I supposed I was mistaken . And Jo would n't be kind to you ? Why , I was sure she loved you dearly . '' `` She was kind , but not in the right way , and it 's lucky for her she did n't love me , if I 'm the good-for-nothing fellow you think me . It 's her fault though , and you may tell her so . '' The hard , bitter look came back again as he said that , and it troubled Amy , for she did not know what balm to apply . `` I was wrong , I did n't know . I 'm very sorry I was so cross , but I ca n't help wishing you 'd bear it better , Teddy , dear . '' `` Do n't , that 's her name for me ! '' and Laurie put up his hand with a quick gesture to stop the words spoken in Jo 's half-kind , half-reproachful tone . `` Wait till you 've tried it yourself , '' he added in a low voice , as he pulled up the grass by the handful . `` I 'd take it manfully , and be respected if I could n't be loved , '' said Amy , with the decision of one who knew nothing about it . Now , Laurie flattered himself that he had borne it remarkably well , making no moan , asking no sympathy , and taking his trouble away to live it down alone .
Amy 's lecture put the matter in a new light , and for the first XXXXX it did look weak and selfish to lose heart at the first failure , and shut himself up in moody indifference .
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