`` Rather a rough road for you to travel , my little pilgrims , especially the latter part of it . But you have got on bravely , and I think the burdens are in a fair way to tumble off very soon , '' said Mr. March , looking with fatherly satisfaction at the four young faces gathered round him . `` How do you know ? Did Mother tell you ? '' asked Jo . `` Not much . Straws show which way the wind blows , and I 've made several discoveries today . '' `` Oh , tell us what they are ! '' cried Meg , who sat beside him . `` Here is one . '' And taking up the hand which lay on the arm of his chair , he pointed to the roughened forefinger , a burn on the back , and two or three little hard spots on the palm . `` I remember a time when this hand was white and smooth , and your first care was to keep it so . It was very pretty then , but to me it is much prettier now , for in this seeming blemishes I read a little history . A burnt offering has been made to vanity , this hardened palm has earned something better than blisters , and I 'm sure the sewing done by these pricked fingers will last a long time , so much good will went into the stitches . Meg , my dear , I value the womanly skill which keeps home happy more than white hands or fashionable accomplishments . I 'm proud to shake this good , industrious little hand , and hope I shall not soon be asked to give it away . '' If Meg had wanted a reward for hours of patient labor , she received it in the hearty pressure of her father 's hand and the approving smile he gave her . `` What about Jo ? Please say something nice , for she has tried so hard and been so very , very good to me , '' said Beth in her father 's ear . He laughed and looked across at the tall girl who sat opposite , with an unusually mild expression in her face .
`` In spite of the curly crop , I do n't see the ` son Jo ' whom I left a year ago , '' XXXXX Mr. March .
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