Last summer, Meg lost one of her gloves at the Laurences' picnic, and later Laurie told me that Mr. Brooke had it, and kept it in his coat pocket. It fell out once, and Laurie saw it. Mr. Brooke told Laurie that he liked Meg but was afraid to tell her because she was so young and he was so poor. Isn't it all awful?

Do you think Meg likes and cares about him? asked Mrs. March, with a worried look. I don’t know anything about love, said Jo. Do you think she's not interested in John? said Mrs. March. Who? said Jo, staring.

Mr. Brooke, said her mother. I call him John because we became good friends at the hospital. Oh, dear! said Jo. He's been good to Father, and now you'll let Meg marry him, if she wants to. My dear, don't be angry, said Mrs. March. John told us quite honestly that he loved Meg, but said he would earn enough money for a comfortable home before he asked her to marry him. He wants very much to make her love him if he can.

He's an excellent young man, but your father and I will not agree to Meg marrying before she is twenty. I want her to marry Laurie, and be rich, said Jo. I'm afraid Laurie isn't grown-up enough for Meg, said Mrs. March. Don't make plans, Jo. Let time and their own hearts bring your friends together.

Meg came in with the letter for her father. Beautifully written, my dear, said her mother, looking at the letter. Please add that I send my love to John. Do you call him John? said Meg, smiling. Yes, he's been like a son to us and we are very fond of him, said Mrs. March, watching her daughter closely.

I'm glad of that, because he's so lonely, was Meg's quiet answer. Goodnight, Mother dear. Mrs. March kissed her gently. She does not love John yet, she thought, but she will soon learn to.