` Have your fun , my dear ; but if you must earn your bread , try to make it sweet with cheerfulness , not bitter with the daily regret that it is n't cake . I used to think mine was a very hard fate because I had to amuse a somewhat fretful old lady ; but the books I read in that lonely library have been of immense use to me since , and the dear old soul bequeathed me Plumfield for my `` cheerful service and affectionate care '' . I did n't deserve it , but I did use to try to be jolly and kind , and get as much honey out of duty as I could , thanks to my dear mother 's help and advice . ' ` Gracious ! if I could earn a place like this , I 'd sing all day and be an angel ; but you have to take your chance , and get nothing for your pains , perhaps . I never do , ' said the Westerner , who had a hard time with small means and large aspirations . ` Do n't do it for the reward ; but be sure it will come , though not in the shape you expect . I worked hard for fame and money one winter ; but I got neither , and was much disappointed . A year afterwards I found I had earned two prizes : skill with my pen , and Professor Bhaer . ' Mrs Jo 's laugh was echoed blithely by the girls , who liked to have these conversations enlivened by illustrations from life . ` You are a very lucky woman , ' began the discontented damsel , whose soul soared above new hats , welcome as they were , but did not quite know where to steer . ` Yet her name used to be `` Luckless Jo '' , and she never had what she wanted till she had given up hoping for it , ' said Mrs Meg . ` I 'll give up hoping , then , right away , and see if my wishes will come . I only want to help my folks , and get a good school . ' ` Take this proverb for your guide : `` Get the distaff ready , and the Lord will send the flax '' , ' answered Mrs Jo . ` We 'd better all do that , if we are to be spinsters , ' said the pretty one , adding gaily , ' I think I should like it , on the whole -- they are so independent . My Aunt Jenny can do just what she likes , and ask no one 's leave ; but Ma has to consult Pa about everything . Yes , I 'll give you my chance , Sally , and be a `` superfluum '' , as Mr Plock says . ' ` You 'll be one of the first to go into bondage , see if you are n't . Much obliged , all the same . '
` Well , I 'll get my XXXXX ready , and take whatever flax the Fates send -- single , or double-twisted , as the powers please . '
Jenny Jo Ma Plumfield Sally day distaff first right superfluum