PART 2
39. CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
(continued)
"I think they would," came from under the hat, in a grim
tone, quite as touching as a broken one.
"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 didn'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 wouldn'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 didn'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 didn't know. I'm very sorry I was so cross,
but I can't help wishing you'd bear it better, Teddy, dear."
"Don'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.
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