Do n't shut yourself up in a bandbox because you are a woman , but understand what is going on , and educate yourself to take your part in the world 's work , for it all affects you and yours . '' `` John is so sensible , I 'm afraid he will think I 'm stupid if I ask questions about politics and things . '' `` I do n't believe he would . Love covers a multitude of sins , and of whom could you ask more freely than of him ? Try it , and see if he does n't find your society far more agreeable than Mrs. Scott 's suppers . '' `` I will . Poor John ! I 'm afraid I have neglected him sadly , but I thought I was right , and he never said anything . '' `` He tried not to be selfish , but he has felt rather forlorn , I fancy . This is just the time , Meg , when young married people are apt to grow apart , and the very time when they ought to be most together , for the first tenderness soon wears off , unless care is taken to preserve it . And no time is so beautiful and precious to parents as the first years of the little lives given to them to train . Do n't let John be a stranger to the babies , for they will do more to keep him safe and happy in this world of trial and temptation than anything else , and through them you will learn to know and love one another as you should . Now , dear , good-by . Think over Mother 's preachment , act upon it if it seems good , and God bless you all . '' Meg did think it over , found it good , and acted upon it , though the first attempt was not made exactly as she planned to have it . Of course the children tyrannized over her , and ruled the house as soon as they found out that kicking and squalling brought them whatever they wanted . Mamma was an abject slave to their caprices , but Papa was not so easily subjugated , and occasionally afflicted his tender spouse by an attempt at paternal discipline with his obstreperous son . For Demi inherited a trifle of his sire 's firmness of character , we wo n't call it obstinacy , and when he made up his little mind to have or to do anything , all the king 's horses and all the king 's men could not change that pertinacious little mind . Mamma thought the dear too young to be taught to conquer his prejudices , but Papa believed that it never was too soon to learn obedience . So Master Demi early discovered that when he undertook to ` wrastle ' with ` Parpar ' , he always got the worst of it , yet like the Englishman , baby respected the man who conquered him , and loved the father whose grave `` No , no , '' was more impressive than all Mamma 's love pats .
A few days after the talk with her mother , XXXXX resolved to try a social evening with John , so she ordered a nice supper , set the parlor in order , dressed herself prettily , and put the children to bed early , that nothing should interfere with her experiment .
Demi Englishman Meg Papa Parpar Scott caprices first obstinacy pats