`` 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 give 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 . Your Bess is the lady , full of natural refinement , grace , and beauty . She polishes them unconsciously , and fills her place as any lovely woman may , using her gentle influence to lift and hold them above the coarse , rough things of life , and keep them gentlemen in the best sense of the fine old word . '' `` It is not always the ladies who do that best , Jo . It is sometimes the strong brave woman who stirs up the boy and makes a man of him ; '' and Laurie bowed to her with a significant laugh . `` No ; I think the graceful woman , whom the boy you allude to married , has done more for him than the wild Nan of his youth ; or , better still , the wise , motherly woman who watched over him , as Daisy watches over Demi , did more to make him what he is ; '' and Jo turned toward her mother , who sat a little apart with Meg , looking so full of the sweet dignity and beauty of old age , that Laurie gave her a glance of filial respect and love as he replied , in serious earnest , `` All three did much for him , and I can understand how well these little girls will help your lads . '' `` Not more than the lads help them ; it is mutual , I assure you . Nat does much for Daisy with his music ; Dan can manage Nan better than any of us ; and Demi teaches your Goldilocks so easily and well that Fritz calls them Roger Ascham and Lady Jane Grey . Dear me ! if men and women would only trust , understand , and help one another as my children do , what a capital place the world would be ! '' and Mrs. Jo 's eyes grew absent , as if she was looking at a new and charming state of society in which people lived as happily and innocently as her flock at Plumfield . `` You are doing your best to help on the good time , my dear . Continue to believe in it , to work for it , and to prove its possibility by the success of her small experiment , '' said Mr. March , pausing as he passed to say an encouraging word , for the good man never lost his faith in humanity , and still hoped to see peace , good-will , and happiness reign upon the earth . `` I am not so ambitious as that , father .
I only want to give these XXXXX a home in which they can be taught a few simple things which will help to make life less hard to them when they go out to fight their battles in the world .
Teddy age charm children grace ladies power progress sympathy woman