I 'll wait and say nothing till you have had more time . Do n't play with me , Meg . I did n't think that of you . '' `` Do n't think of me at all . I 'd rather you would n't , '' said Meg , taking a naughty satisfaction in trying her lover 's patience and her own power . He was grave and pale now , and looked decidedly more like the novel heroes whom she admired , but he neither slapped his forehead nor tramped about the room as they did . He just stood looking at her so wistfully , so tenderly , that she found her heart relenting in spite of herself . What would have happened next I can not say , if Aunt March had not come hobbling in at this interesting minute . The old lady could n't resist her longing to see her nephew , for she had met Laurie as she took her airing , and hearing of Mr. March 's arrival , drove straight out to see him . The family were all busy in the back part of the house , and she had made her way quietly in , hoping to surprise them . She did surprise two of them so much that Meg started as if she had seen a ghost , and Mr. Brooke vanished into the study . `` Bless me , what 's all this ? '' cried the old lady with a rap of her cane as she glanced from the pale young gentleman to the scarlet young lady . `` It 's Father 's friend . I 'm so surprised to see you ! '' stammered Meg , feeling that she was in for a lecture now . `` That 's evident , '' returned Aunt March , sitting down . `` But what is Father 's friend saying to make you look like a peony ? There 's mischief going on , and I insist upon knowing what it is , '' with another rap . `` We were only talking .
Mr. Brooke came for his umbrella , '' began Meg , wishing that Mr. Brooke and the umbrella were safely out of the XXXXX .
cane forehead friend heroes house lecture mischief part peony study