He 's a capital fellow , and I wish we could get acquainted . He looks as if he 'd like to know us but he 's bashful , and Meg is so prim she wo n't let me speak to him when we pass , '' said Jo , as the plates went round , and the ice began to melt out of sight , with ohs and ahs of satisfaction . `` You mean the people who live in the big house next door , do n't you ? '' asked one of the girls . `` My mother knows old Mr. Laurence , but says he 's very proud and does n't like to mix with his neighbors . He keeps his grandson shut up , when he is n't riding or walking with his tutor , and makes him study very hard . We invited him to our party , but he did n't come . Mother says he 's very nice , though he never speaks to us girls . '' `` Our cat ran away once , and he brought her back , and we talked over the fence , and were getting on capitally , all about cricket , and so on , when he saw Meg coming , and walked off . I mean to know him some day , for he needs fun , I 'm sure he does , '' said Jo decidedly . `` I like his manners , and he looks like a little gentleman , so I 've no objection to your knowing him , if a proper opportunity comes . He brought the flowers himself , and I should have asked him in , if I had been sure what was going on upstairs . He looked so wistful as he went away , hearing the frolic and evidently having none of his own . '' `` It 's a mercy you did n't , Mother ! '' laughed Jo , looking at her boots . `` But we 'll have another play sometime that he can see . Perhaps he 'll help act . Would n't that be jolly ? '' `` I never had such a fine bouquet before ! How pretty it is ! ''
And Meg examined her XXXXX with great interest .
Mr. boots cricket fence flowers grandson none objection opportunity party