her to her own gate, shook hands cordially, and touched his hat
as he marched back again, looking very stately and erect, like a
handsome, soldierly old gentleman, as he was.

When the girls saw that performance, Jo began to dance a
jig, by way of expressing her satisfaction; Amy nearly fell out
of the window in her surprise; and Meg exclaimed, with up-
lifted hands, "Well, I do believe the world is coming to an
end!"

"THAT boy is a perfect Cyclops, isn't he?" said Amy, one
day, as Laurie clattered by on horseback, with a flourish of his
whip as he passed.

"How dare you say so, when he's got both his eyes? and
very handsome ones they are, too," cried Jo, who resented any
slighting remarks about her friend.

"I didn't say anything about his eyes, and I don't see why
you need fire up when I admire his riding."

"Oh, my goodness! that little goose means a centaur, and
she called him a Cyclops," exclaimed Jo, with a burst of
laughter.

"You needn't be so rude; it's only a 'lapse of lingy,' as
Mr. Davis says," retorted Amy, finishing Jo with her Latin.
"I just wish I had a little of the money Laurie spends on that
horse," she added, as if to herself, yet hoping her sisters would hear.

"Why?" asked Meg kindly, for Jo had gone off in another
laugh at Amy's second blunder.

"I need it so much; I'm dreadfully in debt, and it won't be
my turn to have the rag-money for a month."

"In debt, Amy? What do you mean?" and Meg looked
sober.

"Why, I owe at least a dozen pickled limes, and I can't pay

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