My dear girls , I am ambitious for you , but not to have you make a dash in the world , marry rich men merely because they are rich , or have splendid houses , which are not homes because love is wanting . Money is a needful and precious thing , and when well used , a noble thing , but I never want you to think it is the first or only prize to strive for . I 'd rather see you poor men 's wives , if you were happy , beloved , contented , than queens on thrones , without self-respect and peace . '' `` Poor girls do n't stand any chance , Belle says , unless they put themselves forward , '' sighed Meg . `` Then we 'll be old maids , '' said Jo stoutly . `` Right , Jo . Better be happy old maids than unhappy wives , or unmaidenly girls , running about to find husbands , '' said Mrs. March decidedly . `` Do n't be troubled , Meg , poverty seldom daunts a sincere lover . Some of the best and most honored women I know were poor girls , but so love-worthy that they were not allowed to be old maids . Leave these things to time . Make this home happy , so that you may be fit for homes of your own , if they are offered you , and contented here if they are not . One thing remember , my girls . Mother is always ready to be your confidant , Father to be your friend , and both of us hope and trust that our daughters , whether married or single , will be the pride and comfort of our lives . '' `` We will , Marmee , we will ! '' cried both , with all their hearts , as she bade them good night . CHAPTER TEN THE P.C. AND P.O. . As spring came on , a new set of amusements became the fashion , and the lengthening days gave long afternoons for work and play of all sorts . The garden had to be put in order , and each sister had a quarter of the little plot to do what she liked with . Hannah used to say , `` I 'd know which each of them gardings belonged to , ef I see 'em in Chiny , '' and so she might , for the girls ' tastes differed as much as their characters . Meg 's had roses and heliotrope , myrtle , and a little orange tree in it .
XXXXX 's bed was never alike two seasons , for she was always trying experiments .
Hannah Jo Mother P.C. Right afternoons days first gardings quarter