Fritz did the rest . '' `` Dear soul ! you look as if ` only loving ' had been rather hard work sometimes , '' said Laurie , stroking her thin cheek with a look of more tender admiration than he had ever given her as a girl . `` I 'm a faded old woman , but I 'm a very happy one ; so do n't pity me , Teddy ; '' and she glanced about the room with eyes full of a sincere content . `` Yes , your plan seems to work better and better every year , '' he said , with an emphatic nod of approval toward the cheery scene before him . `` How can it fail to work well when I have so much help from you all ? '' answered Mrs. Jo , looking gratefully at her most generous patron . `` It is the best joke of the family , this school of yours and its success . So unlike the future we planned for you , and yet so suited to you after all . It was a regular inspiration , Jo , '' said Laurie , dodging her thanks as usual . `` Ah ! but you laughed at it in the beginning , and still make all manner of fun of me and my inspirations . Did n't you predict that having girls with the boys would be a dead failure ? Now see how well it works ; '' and she pointed to the happy group of lads and lassies dancing , singing , and chattering together with every sign of kindly good fellowship . `` I give in , and when my Goldilocks is old enough I 'll send her to you . Can I say more than that ? '' `` I shall be so proud to have your little treasure trusted to me . But really , Teddy , the effect of these girls has been excellent . I know you will laugh at me , but I do n't mind , I 'm used to it ; so I 'll tell you that one of my favorite fancies is to look at my family as a small world , to watch the progress of my little men , and , lately , to see how well the influence of my little women works upon them . Daisy is the domestic element , and they all feel the charm of her quiet , womanly ways .
Nan is the restless , energetic , strong-minded one ; they admire her courage , and XXXXX her a fair chance to work out her will , seeing that she has sympathy as well as strength , and the power to do much in their small world .
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