To have a happy youth , to be well and wisely married , and to lead useful , pleasant lives , with as little care and sorrow to try them as God sees fit to send . To be loved and chosen by a good man is the best and sweetest thing which can happen to a woman , and I sincerely hope my girls may know this beautiful experience . It is natural to think of it , Meg , right to hope and wait for it , and wise to prepare for it , so that when the happy time comes , you may feel ready for the duties and worthy of the joy . My dear girls , I am ambitious for you , but not to have you make a dash in the world , marry rich men merely because they are rich , or have splendid houses , which are not homes because love is wanting . Money is a needful and precious thing , and when well used , a noble thing , but I never want you to think it is the first or only prize to strive for . I 'd rather see you poor men 's wives , if you were happy , beloved , contented , than queens on thrones , without self-respect and peace . '' `` Poor girls do n't stand any chance , Belle says , unless they put themselves forward , '' sighed Meg . `` Then we 'll be old maids , '' said Jo stoutly . `` Right , Jo . Better be happy old maids than unhappy wives , or unmaidenly girls , running about to find husbands , '' said Mrs. March decidedly . `` Do n't be troubled , Meg , poverty seldom daunts a sincere lover . Some of the best and most honored women I know were poor girls , but so love-worthy that they were not allowed to be old maids . Leave these things to time . Make this home happy , so that you may be fit for homes of your own , if they are offered you , and contented here if they are not . One thing remember , my girls . Mother is always ready to be your confidant , Father to be your friend , and both of us hope and trust that our daughters , whether married or single , will be the pride and comfort of our lives . '' `` We will , Marmee , we will ! '' cried both , with all their hearts , as she bade them good night . CHAPTER TEN THE P.C. AND P.O. . As spring came on , a new set of amusements became the fashion , and the lengthening days gave long afternoons for work and play of all sorts .
The garden had to be XXXXX in order , and each sister had a quarter of the little plot to do what she liked with .
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