"Not very."

"You got through quickly."

"Yes, thank goodness!"

"Why did you go alone?"

"Didn't want any one to know."

"You're the oddest fellow I ever saw. How many did you
have out?"

Jo looked at her friend as if she did not understand him;
then began to laugh, as if mightily amused at something.

"There are two which I want to have come out, but I must
wait a week."

"What are you laughing at? You are up to some mischief,
Jo," said Laurie, looking mystified.

"So are you. What were you doing, sir, up in that billiard
saloon?"

"Begging your pardon, ma'am, it wasn't a billiard saloon,
but a gymnasium, and I was taking a lesson in fencing."

"I'm glad of that.?"

"Why?"

"You can teach me, and then when we play Hamlet, you can
be Laertes, and we'll make a fine thing of the fencing scene."

Laurie burst out with a hearty boy's laugh, which made
several passers-by smile in spite of themselves.

"I'll teach you whether we play Hamlet or not; it 's grand
fun, and will straighten you up capitally. But I don't believe
that was your only reason for saying 'I 'm glad,' in that decided
way; was it, now?"

"No, I was glad that you were not in the saloon, because I
hope you never go to such places. Do you?"

"Not often."

"I wish you wouldn't."

"It 's no harm, Jo. I have billiards at home, but it's no fun
unless you have good players; so, as I 'm fond of it, I come
sometimes and have a game with Ned Moffat or some of the
other fellows."

"Oh dear, I 'm so sorry, for you 'll get to liking it better and

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