I had four , but two were killed , one is a prisoner , and I 'm going to the other , who is very sick in a Washington hospital . ' he answered quietly . '' '' ` You have done a great deal for your country , sir , ' I said , feeling respect now , instead of pity . '' '' ` Not a mite more than I ought , ma'am . I 'd go myself , if I was any use . As I ai n't , I give my boys , and give 'em free . ' '' `` He spoke so cheerfully , looked so sincere , and seemed so glad to give his all , that I was ashamed of myself . I 'd given one man and thought it too much , while he gave four without grudging them . I had all my girls to comfort me at home , and his last son was waiting , miles away , to say good-by to him , perhaps ! I felt so rich , so happy thinking of my blessings , that I made him a nice bundle , gave him some money , and thanked him heartily for the lesson he had taught me . '' `` Tell another story , Mother , one with a moral to it , like this . I like to think about them afterward , if they are real and not too preachy , '' said Jo , after a minute 's silence . Mrs. March smiled and began at once , for she had told stories to this little audience for many years , and knew how to please them . `` Once upon a time , there were four girls , who had enough to eat and drink and wear , a good many comforts and pleasures , kind friends and parents who loved them dearly , and yet they were not contented . '' -LRB- Here the listeners stole sly looks at one another , and began to sew diligently . -RRB- `` These girls were anxious to be good and made many excellent resolutions , but they did not keep them very well , and were constantly saying , ` If only we had this , ' or ` If we could only do that , ' quite forgetting how much they already had , and how many things they actually could do . So they asked an old woman what spell they could use to make them happy , and she said , ` When you feel discontented , think over your blessings , and be grateful . ' '' -LRB- Here Jo looked up quickly , as if about to speak , but changed her mind , seeing that the story was not done yet . -RRB- `` Being sensible girls , they decided to try her advice , and soon were surprised to see how well off they were . One discovered that money could n't keep shame and sorrow out of rich people 's houses , another that , though she was poor , she was a great deal happier , with her youth , health , and good spirits , than a certain fretful , feeble old lady who could n't enjoy her comforts , a third that , disagreeable as it was to help get dinner , it was harder still to go begging for it and the fourth , that even carnelian rings were not so valuable as good behavior .
So they agreed to stop complaining , to enjoy the blessings already possessed , and try to deserve them , lest they should be taken away entirely , instead of increased , and I believe they were never disappointed or sorry that they took the old woman 's XXXXX . ''
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