`Hurrah for Miss March, the celebrated American authoress!' cried Laurie, throwing up his hat and catching it again, to the great delight of two ducks, four cats, five hens, and half a dozen Irish children; for they were out of the city now.

`Hush! It won't come to anything, I dare say; but I couldn't rest till I had tried, and I said nothing about it, because I didn't want anyone else to be disappointed.'

`It won't fail. Why, Jo, your stories are works of Shakespeare, compared to half the rubbish that is published every day. Won't it be fun to see them in print; and shan't we feel proud of our authoress?'

Jo's eyes sparkled, for it is always pleasant to be believed in; and a friend's praise is always sweeter than a dozen newspaper puffs.

`Where's your secret? Play fair, Teddy, or I'll never believe you again,' she said, trying to extinguish the brilliant hopes that blazed up at a word of encouragement.

`I may get into a scrape for telling; but I didn't promise not to, so I will, for I never feel easy in my mind till I've told you any plummy bit of news I get. I know where Meg's glove is.'

`Is that all?' said Jo, looking disappointed, as Laurie nodded and twinkled, with a face full of mysterious intelligence. `It's quite enough for the present, as you'll agree when I tell you where it is.'

`Tell then.'

Laurie bent, and whispered three words in Jo's ear, which produced a comical change. She stood and stared at him for a minute, looking both surprised and displeased, then walked on, saying sharply, `How do you know?'

`Saw it.'

`Where?'

`Pocket.'

`All this time?'

`Yes; isn't that romantic?'

`No, it's horrid.'

`Don't you like it?'

`Of course I don't. It's ridiculous; it won't be allowed. My patience! what would Meg say?'

`You are not to tell anyone; mind that.'

`I didn't promise.'

`That was understood, and I trusted you.'

`Well, I won't for the present, anyway; but I'm disgusted, and wish you hadn't told me.'

`I thought you'd be pleased.'

`At the idea of anybody coming to take Meg away? No, thank you.'

`You'll feel better about it when somebody comes to take you away.'