Маленькие женщины / Little Women. Уровень 3

“No, winking isn't ladylike. I'll lift my eyebrows if anything is wrong, and nod if you are all right.”

Down they went, feeling a trifle timid, for they seldom went to parties.

Mrs. Gardiner greeted them kindly and handed them over to the eldest of her six daughters. Then the dancing began. Jo saw a big red headed youth approaching her corner, and fearing he meant to engage her, she slipped into a curtained recess. Unfortunately, another person had chosen the same refuge, and she found herself face to face with the �Laurence boy'.

“Dear me, I didn't know anyone was here!” stammered Jo, preparing to back out as speedily as she had bounced in.

But the boy laughed and said pleasantly, though he looked a little startled, “Don't mind me, stay if you like.”

“Shan't I disturb you?”

“Not a bit. I only came here because I don't know many people and felt rather strange at first, you know.”

“So did I. Don't go away, please, unless you'd rather.”

The boy sat down again.

“Next door.” And he looked up and laughed.

That put Jo at her ease and she laughed too, as she said, “We did have such a good time over your nice Christmas present.”

“Grandpa sent it.”

“But you put it into his head, didn't you, now?”

“How is your cat, Miss March?” asked the boy.

“Nicely, thank you, Mr. Laurence. But I am not Miss March, I'm only Jo,” returned the young lady.

“I'm not Mr. Laurence, I'm only Laurie.”

“Laurie Laurence, what an odd name.”

“My first name is Theodore, but I don't like it, for the fellows called me Dora, so I made them say Laurie instead.”

“I hate my name, too, so sentimental! I wish everyone would say Jo instead of Josephine. How did you make the boys stop calling you Dora?”

“I thrashed �em.”

“I can't thrash Aunt March, so I suppose I shall have to bear it.

“Don't you like to dance, Miss Jo?” asked Laurie, looking as if he thought the name suited her.

“I like it well enough if there is plenty of room, and everyone is lively. In a place like this I'm sure to upset something. Don't you dance?”

“Sometimes. You see I've been abroad a good many years, and haven't been into company enough yet to know how you do things here.”

“Abroad!” cried Jo.