When she saw the young gentleman she looked anything but pleased, and passed him with a nod.

But he followed, asking with an air of sympathy, "Did you have a bad time ?" "Not very." "You got through quickly." "Yes, thank goodness!" "Why did you go alone ?" "Didn't want anyone to know." "You're the oddest fellow I ever saw.

How many did you have out ?" Jo looked at her friend as if she did not understand him, then began to laugh as if mightily amused at something.
"There are two which I want to have come out, but I must wait a week." "What are you laughing at?
You are up to some mischief, Jo," said Laurie, looking mystified.
"So are you.

What were you doing, sir, up in that billiard saloon ?" "Begging your pardon, ma'am, it wasn't a billiard saloon, but a gymnasium, and I was taking a lesson in fencing." "I'm glad of that." "Why ?" "You can teach me, and then when we play _Hamlet_, you can be Laertes, and we'll make a fine thing of the fencing scene." Laurie burst out with a hearty boy's laugh, which made several passers-by smile in spite of themselves.
"I'll teach you whether we play _Hamlet_ or not.

It's grand fun and will straighten you up capitally.