I looked 'em up , and not one was ever in prison , hanged , or disgraced in any way . We used to be rich and honoured years ago , but we 've died out and got poor , and father was a street musician rather than beg ; and I 'll be one again before I 'll do the mean things some men do and pass muster . ' Nat was so excited that Mrs Jo indulged in a laugh to calm him , and both went on more quietly . ' I told my sister all that and it pleased her . I am sure if you do well these next few years that she will relent and all be happily settled , unless that wonderful change , which you do n't believe possible , should occur . Now , cheer up ; do n't be lackadaisical and blue . Say good-bye cheerfully and bravely , show a manly front , and leave a pleasant memory behind you . We all wish you well and hope much for you . Write to me every week and I 'll send a good , gossipy answer . Be careful what you write to Daisy ; do n't gush or wail , for sister Meg will see the letters ; and you can help your cause very much by sending sensible , cheery accounts of your life to us all . ' ' I will ; I will ; it looks brighter and better already , and I wo n't lose my one comfort by any fault of my own . Thank you so much , Mother Bhaer , for taking my side . I felt so ungrateful and mean and crushed when I thought you all considered me a sneak who had no business to love such a precious girl as Daisy . No one said anything , but I knew how you felt , and that Mr Laurie sent me off partly to get me out of the way . Oh dear , life is pretty tough sometimes , is n't it ? ' And Nat took his head in both hands as if it ached with the confusion of hopes and fears , passions and plans that proved boyhood was past and manhood had begun . ` Very tough , but it is that very struggle with obstacles which does us good . Things have been made easy for you in many ways , but no one can do everything . You must paddle your own canoe now , and learn to avoid the rapids and steer straight to the port you want to reach . I do n't know just what your temptations will be for you have no bad habits and seem to love music so well , nothing can lure you from it .
I only XXXXX you wo n't work too hard . ' '
Be gush hope knew looked made proved said see wail