“Not so bad as it seems, for I should only plague him if I went, so I might as well stay, and plague you a little longer, you can bear it better; in fact, I think it agrees with you excellently;” and Laurie composed himself for a lounge on the broad ledge of the balustrade.
Amy shook her head, and opened her sketchbook with an air of resignation; but she had made up her mind to lecture “that boy,” and in a minute she began again.
“What are you doing just now?”
“Watching lizards.”
“No, no; I mean what do you intend and wish to do?”
“Smoke a cigarette, if you’ll allow me.”
“How provoking you are! I don’t approve of cigars, and I will only allow it on condition that you let me put you into my sketch; I need a figure.”
“With all the pleasure in life. How will you have me—full-length or three-quarters, on my head or my heels? I should respectfully suggest a recumbent posture, then put yourself in also, and call it ‘ Dolce far niente ’?”
“Stay as you are, and go to sleep if you like. I intend to work hard,” said Amy, in her most energetic tone.
“What delightful enthusiasm!” and he leaned against a tall urn with an air of entire satisfaction.
“What would Jo say if she saw you now?” asked Amy impatiently, hoping to stir him up by the mention of her still more energetic sister’s name.