the way, and as if used to waiting on ladies, Laurie
drew up a little table, brought a second installment of coffee and
ice for Jo, and was so obliging that even particular Meg pronounced
him a 'nice boy'. They had a merry time over the bonbons and mottoes,
and were in the midst of a quiet game of _Buzz_, with two or three
other young people who had strayed in, when Hannah appeared. Meg
forgot her foot and rose so quickly that she was forced to catch
hold of Jo, with an exclamation of pain.

"Hush! Don't say anything," she whispered, adding aloud, "It's
nothing. I turned my foot a little, that's all," and limped upstairs
to put her things on.

Hannah scolded, Meg cried, and Jo was at her wits' end, till
she decided to take things into her own hands. Slipping out, she ran
down and, finding a servant, asked if he could get her a carriage.
It happened to be a hired waiter who knew nothing about the
neighborhood and Jo was looking round for help when Laurie, who had
heard what she said, came up and offered his grandfather's carriage,
which had just come for him, he said.

"It's so early! You can't mean to go yet?" began Jo, looking
relieved but hesitating to accept the offer.

"I always go early, I do, truly! Please let me take you home.
It's all on my way, you know, and it rains, they say."