_Kitty._ Well, you can’t: a pretty idea, that I can’t have a beau without being obliged to tell you who it is!
_March._ A beau! It’s that Bige Parker: I know it is.
_Kitty._ Well, suppose it is, Mr. March Gale.
_March._ I’ll just give him the biggest licking ever he had: you see if I don’t.
_March._ What right has he to be tagging after you, I’d like to know?
_Kitty._ Suppose I choose to let him, Mr. Gale; and suppose I like to have him, Mr. Gale. What do you say to that?
_March._ That I’ll punch him all the harder when I get at him.
_Kitty._ Will you? You’re a pretty brother, ain’t you? Won’t let your sister have a beau without making a fuss!
_March._ I ain’t your brother: you know I ain’t. I’m a shipwrecked innocent.
_Kitty_ (_laughing_). Oh, ho, ho! you’re a pretty innocent, you are!
_Mrs. Gale._ Kitty Gale, stop your laughing and behave yourself. Don’t you see Miss Kate? Where have you been?
_Kitty._ Oh! I’ve been over to Mrs. Parker’s.
_Kitty._ Mrs. Parker was not at home (_looking slyly at March_): nobody but Bige.
_March._ I’d like to get hold of him: I’d send him _home_, and keep him there.
_Kitty._ Bige Parker wanted to give me a great thick slice of bread and butter; but I knew there was somebody at home (_looking at March_) who could spread bread and butter better than he.
_March._ No: did you, Kitty? you just keep still, and I’ll bring you a slice. (_Exit, L._)
_Kate._ O Kitty, Kitty! I suspect you are a little coquette.
_Kitty._ Me! why I never thought of such a thing.
_Mrs. Gale_ (_going to door, C._). It’s about time for John to be back. (_Enter MARCH, L., with slice of bread and butter._)
_Kitty._ Oh! ain’t that nice, now if I only had a seat.
_March._ Here’s one: here’s a high old seat (_attempts to lift her upon the table, burns his hand with the flat-iron, yells, drops Kitty, and runs, L._).
_Mrs. Gale._ I told you you’d catch it (_takes iron from table, and places it in the fireplace_).
_March._ You didn’t tell me any such thing: I found it out myself. Look at that (_shows his hand_). There’s a blister.
_Kate._ Dear me! I forgot I had a message to deliver. Father would like to see you in his room a moment.
_Kate._ Where’s Sept., March: I haven’t seen him this morning?