The Queen of Babylon 's wardrobe was spread forth upon the bank , and , turning up their tubs to dry , the little washerwomen climbed into the nest , and fell to talking , as ladies are apt to do in the pauses of domestic labor . `` I 'm going to have a feather-bed to go with my new pillow , '' said Mrs. Giddy-gaddy , as she transferred the thistledown from her pocket to her handkerchief , losing about half in the process . `` I would n't ; Aunt Jo says feather-beds are n't healthy . I never let my children sleep on any thing but a mattress , '' returned Mrs. Shakespeare Smith , decidedly . `` I do n't care ; my children are so strong they often sleep on the floor , and do n't mind it , '' -LRB- which was quite true -RRB- . `` I ca n't afford nine mattresses , and I like to make beds myself . '' `` Wo n't Tommy charge for the feathers ? '' `` May be he will , but I sha n't pay him , and he wo n't care , '' returned Mrs. G. , taking a base advantage of the well-known good nature of T. Bangs . `` I think the pink will fade out of that dress sooner than the green mark will , '' observed Mrs. S. , looking down from her perch , and changing the subject , for she and her gossip differed on many points , and Mrs. Smith was a discreet lady . `` Never mind ; I 'm tired of dolls , and I guess I shall put them all away and attend to my farm ; I like it rather better than playing house , '' said Mrs. G. , unconsciously expressing the desire of many older ladies , who can not dispose of their families so easily however . `` But you must n't leave them ; they will die without their mother , '' cried the tender Mrs. Smith . `` Let 'em die then ; I 'm tired of fussing over babies , and I 'm going to play with the boys ; they need me to see to 'em , '' returned the strong-minded lady . Daisy knew nothing about women 's rights ; she quietly took all she wanted , and no one denied her claim , because she did not undertake what she could not carry out , but unconsciously used the all-powerful right of her own influence to win from others any privilege for which she had proved her fitness . Nan attempted all sorts of things , undaunted by direful failures , and clamored fiercely to be allowed to do every thing that the boys did . They laughed at her , hustled her out of the way , and protested against her meddling with their affairs . But she would not be quenched and she would be heard , for her will was strong , and she had the spirit of a rampant reformer . Mrs. Bhaer sympathized with her , but tired to curb her frantic desire for entire liberty , showing her that she must wait a little , learn self-control , and be ready to use her freedom before she asked for it . Nan had meek moments when she agreed to this , and the influences at work upon her were gradually taking effect . She no longer declared that she would be engine-driver or a blacksmith , but turned her mind to farming , and found in it a vent for the energy bottled up in her active little body . It did not quite satisfy her , however ; for her sage and sweet marjoram were dumb things , and could not thank her for her care .
She XXXXX something human to love , work for , and protect , and was never happier than when the little boys brought their cut fingers , bumped heads , or bruised joints for her to `` mend-up . ''
afford attempted carry dispose fade fussing guess mind said wanted