But how can it , when it 's so contradictory that I do n't know whether I 've written a promising book or broken all the ten commandments ? '' cried poor Jo , turning over a heap of notices , the perusal of which filled her with pride and joy one minute , wrath and dismay the next . `` This man says , ` An exquisite book , full of truth , beauty , and earnestness . ' ` All is sweet , pure , and healthy . ' '' continued the perplexed authoress . `` The next , ` The theory of the book is bad , full of morbid fancies , spiritualistic ideas , and unnatural characters . ' Now , as I had no theory of any kind , do n't believe in Spiritualism , and copied my characters from life , I do n't see how this critic can be right . Another says , ` It 's one of the best American novels which has appeared for years . ' -LRB- I know better than that -RRB- , and the next asserts that ` Though it is original , and written with great force and feeling , it is a dangerous book . ' 'T is n't ! Some make fun of it , some overpraise , and nearly all insist that I had a deep theory to expound , when I only wrote it for the pleasure and the money . I wish I 'd printed the whole or not at all , for I do hate to be so misjudged . '' Her family and friends administered comfort and commendation liberally . Yet it was a hard time for sensitive , high-spirited Jo , who meant so well and had apparently done so ill . But it did her good , for those whose opinion had real value gave her the criticism which is an author 's best education , and when the first soreness was over , she could laugh at her poor little book , yet believe in it still , and feel herself the wiser and stronger for the buffeting she had received . `` Not being a genius , like Keats , it wo n't kill me , '' she said stoutly , `` and I 've got the joke on my side , after all , for the parts that were taken straight out of real life are denounced as impossible and absurd , and the scenes that I made up out of my own silly head are pronounced ` charmingly natural , tender , and true ' . So I 'll comfort myself with that , and when I 'm ready , I 'll up again and take another . '' CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT DOMESTIC EXPERIENCES Like most other young matrons , Meg began her married life with the determination to be a model housekeeper . John should find home a paradise , he should always see a smiling face , should fare sumptuously every day , and never know the loss of a button . She brought so much love , energy , and cheerfulness to the work that she could not but succeed , in spite of some obstacles .
Her XXXXX was not a tranquil one , for the little woman fussed , was over-anxious to please , and bustled about like a true Martha , cumbered with many cares .
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