At Meg's words however she began to wonder if the poor girl was going daft.
"My dear, you shouldn't do such things," she said.
"It was Jem," repeated Meg, a wonderful smile radiating her face, "and he didn't scorn me."
"Sit down," urged Mrs. Webb, "you're fairly done that's what it is. I ought never to have let you come. Sit down and be quiet there's a good girl. You ain't well."
Meg laughed joyously.
"Not well! Oh, what nonsense! Why I'm feeling better than I've felt for weeks. Don't you understand that I've just seen Jem? and I gave him my rose. You don't mind, Willie, do you?"
But Willie looked up with a face red with anger. As Meg caught his hand intending to give him a kiss to make up to him for her action he pushed her away.
"You've given away my rose," he cried, "the rose I gived to you this morning. She shouldn't have done it, should she mother."
"I'm sorry," said Meg laughing, "but I couldn't help it. When you're a man you'll understand. Come give me a kiss and make it up."
But Willie would not be reconciled, he gave her a kick instead. The kick hurt the girl, but she scarcely felt it, her mind was full of the joy of seeing Jem again.