“If you will come too,” he answered, with a gallant little bow.

“I can’t, for I told Meg I wouldn’t, because . . .”  There Jo stopped, and looked undecided whether to tell or to laugh.

“Because, what?”

“You won’t tell?”

“Never!”

“Well, I have a bad trick of standing before the fire, and so I burn my frocks, and I scorched this one, and though it’s nicely mended, it shows, and Meg told me to keep still so no one would see it.  You may laugh, if you want to.  It is funny, I know.”

But Laurie didn’t laugh.  He only looked down a minute, and the expression of his face puzzled Jo when he said very gently, “Never mind that.  I’ll tell you how we can manage.  There’s a long hall out there, and we can dance grandly, and no one will see us.  Please come.”

Jo thanked him and gladly went, wishing she had two neat gloves when she saw the nice, pearl-colored ones her partner wore.  The hall was empty, and they had a grand polka, for Laurie danced well, and taught her the German step, which delighted Jo, being full of swing and spring.  When the music stopped, they sat down on the stairs to get their breath, and Laurie was in the midst of an account of a students’ festival at Heidelberg when Meg appeared in search of her sister.  She beckoned, and Jo reluctantly followed her into a side room, where she found her on a sofa, holding her foot, and looking pale.

“I’ve sprained my ankle.  That stupid high heel turned and gave me a sad wrench.  It aches so, I can hardly stand, and I don’t know how I’m ever going to get home,” she said, rocking to and fro in pain.

“I knew you’d hurt your feet with those silly shoes.  I’m sorry.  But I don’t see what you can do, except get a carriage, or stay here all night,” answered Jo, softly rubbing the poor ankle as she spoke.

“I can’t have a carriage without its costing ever so much.  I dare say I can’t get one at all, for most people come in their own, and it’s a long way to the stable, and no one to send.”

“I’ll go.”

“No, indeed!  It’s past nine, and dark as Egypt.  I can’t stop here, for the house is full.  Sallie has some girls staying with her.  I’ll rest till Hannah comes, and then do the best I can.”

“I’ll ask Laurie.  He will go,” said Jo, looking relieved as the idea occurred to her.

“Mercy, no!  Don’t ask or tell anyone.  Get me my rubbers, and put these slippers with our things.  I can’t dance anymore, but as soon as supper is over, watch for Hannah and tell me the minute she comes.”

“They are going out to supper now.  I’ll stay with you.  I’d rather.”

“No, dear, run along, and bring me some coffee.  I’m so tired I can’t stir.”

So Meg reclined, with rubbers well hidden, and Jo went blundering away to the dining room, which she found after going into a china closet, and opening the door of a room where old Mr. Gardiner was taking a little private refreshment.  Making a dart at the table, she secured the coffee, which she immediately spilled, thereby making the front of her dress as bad as the back.