one day spied a brown face at the upper window, looking wist-
fully down into their garden, where Beth and Amy were snow-
balling one another.

"That boy is suffering for society and fun," she said to
herself. "His grandpa does not know what's good for him,
and keeps him shut up all alone. He needs a party of jolly
boys to play with, or somebody young and lively. I've a great
mind to go over and tell the old gentleman so!"

The idea amused Jo, who liked to do daring things, and was
always scandalizing Meg by her queer performances. The
plan of "going over" was not forgotten; and when the snowy
afternoon came, Jo resolved to try what could be done. She
saw Mr. Laurence drive off, and then sallied out to dig her way
down to the hedge, where she paused, and took a survey. All
quiet, -- curtains down at the lower windows; servants out of
sight and nothing human visible but a curly black head leaning
on a thin hand at the upper window.

"There he is," Jo, "poor boy! all alone and sick this
dismal day. It's a shame! I 'll toss up a snowball and make
him look out, and then say a kind word to him."

Up went a handful of soft snow, and the head turned at
once, showing a face which lost its listless look in a minute, as
the big eyes brightened and the mouth began to smile. Jo
nodded and laughed, and flourished her broom as she called
out, --

"How do you do? Are you sick?"

Laurie opened the window, and croaked out as hoarsely as
a raven, --

"Better, thank you. I 've had a bad cold, and been shut up
a week."

"I'm sorry. What do you amuse yourself with?"

"Nothing; it's as dull as tombs up here."

"Don't you read?"

"Not much; they won't let me."

"Can't somebody read to you?"

-50-