I have n't flirted , Mother , truly , but remembered what you said to me , and have done my very best . I ca n't help it if people like me . I do n't try to make them , and it worries me if I do n't care for them , though Jo says I have n't got any heart . Now I know Mother will shake her head , and the girls say , `` Oh , the mercenary little wretch ! '' , but I 've made up my mind , and if Fred asks me , I shall accept him , though I 'm not madly in love . I like him , and we get on comfortably together . He is handsome , young , clever enough , and very rich -- ever so much richer than the Laurences . I do n't think his family would object , and I should be very happy , for they are all kind , well-bred , generous people , and they like me . Fred , as the eldest twin , will have the estate , I suppose , and such a splendid one it is ! A city house in a fashionable street , not so showy as our big houses , but twice as comfortable and full of solid luxury , such as English people believe in . I like it , for it 's genuine . I 've seen the plate , the family jewels , the old servants , and pictures of the country place , with its park , great house , lovely grounds , and fine horses . Oh , it would be all I should ask ! And I 'd rather have it than any title such as girls snap up so readily , and find nothing behind . I may be mercenary , but I hate poverty , and do n't mean to bear it a minute longer than I can help . One of us must marry well . Meg did n't , Jo wo n't , Beth ca n't yet , so I shall , and make everything okay all round . I would n't marry a man I hated or despised . You may be sure of that , and though Fred is not my model hero , he does very well , and in time I should get fond enough of him if he was very fond of me , and let me do just as I liked . So I 've been turning the matter over in my mind the last week , for it was impossible to help seeing that Fred liked me .
He XXXXX nothing , but little things showed it .
ask find flirted know let like make said say shake