But Laurie didn’t laugh; he only looked down a minute, and the expression of his face puzzled Jo, when he said very gently—Confused; unable to understand something.
Little Women
Chapter 3
Louisa May Alcott · Trailblazers 4th–6th
Copywork
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?”
Read your copy aloud. Laurie has just heard Jo's secret about the scorched dress. Which words show what he does not do, and which show what he does instead?
Discussion
Narration Retell the night of the party in order, from the gloves to the ride home.
- Jo admits her scorched frock and says “You may laugh, if you want to.” Laurie does not laugh. What might he be thinking in that moment? Inference
- Meg dances all evening in slippers that hurt, though she “would not own it.” What is she trying to protect? Character
- Laurie offers his grandfather's carriage and says “I always go early.” Do you believe him, and does it matter? Moral reasoning
- The narrator jokes “let us be elegant or die!” and ends by saying “I think Jo was quite right.” What does the narrator seem to feel about the sisters' efforts? Tone
- Jo and Meg share their gloves: each wears one good one and carries one stained one. How much do appearances matter to each sister at this party? Theme
Make a Connection Tell about a time someone helped you without making a fuss about it.
Vocabulary
- puzzled
- gently
But Laurie didn’t laugh; he only looked down a minute, and the expression of his face puzzled Jo, when he said very gently—
Softly and kindly.- mortified
“Gloves are more important than anything else; you can’t dance without them, and if you don’t I should be so mortified.”
Deeply embarrassed.- forlornly
She could not roam about and amuse herself, for the burnt breadth would show, so she stared at people rather forlornly till the dancing began.
In a lonely, hopeless way.- bashful
Unfortunately, another bashful person had chosen the same refuge; for, as the curtain fell behind her, she found herself face to face with the “Laurence boy.”
Shy and easily embarrassed.- demeanor
Laurie’s bashfulness soon wore off; for Jo’s gentlemanly demeanor amused and set him at his ease, and Jo was her merry self again, because her dress was forgotten, and nobody lifted their eyebrows at her.
The way a person behaves and carries herself.- obliging
Jo led the way; and, as if used to waiting on ladies, Laurie drew up a little table, brought a second instalment of coffee and ice for Jo, and was so obliging that even particular Meg pronounced him a “nice boy.”
Eager to help and please.- hesitating
You can’t mean to go yet?” began Jo, looking relieved, but hesitating to accept the offer.
Pausing because unsure whether to act.- elegant
Meg’s high-heeled slippers were very tight, and hurt her, though she would not own it, and Jo’s nineteen hairpins all seemed stuck straight into her head, which was not exactly comfortable; but, dear me, let us be elegant or die!
Graceful and stylish.- petulantly
I wish I’d let my hair alone,” cried Meg petulantly.
In a sulky, irritable way.
Critical thinking
- Amy and Beth both comfort Meg after the burnt hair. Using two pieces of evidence, explain whose comfort helps Meg more.
- Jo and Laurie meet behind a curtain and soon feel like old acquaintances. Using two pieces of evidence, explain why they get on so easily.
- In the side-room, Meg sends Jo for coffee and Jo would rather stay. Using two pieces of evidence, explain how Jo shows she cares about Meg.