They laughed at her , hustled her out of the way , and protested against her meddling with their affairs . But she would not be quenched and she would be heard , for her will was strong , and she had the spirit of a rampant reformer . Mrs. Bhaer sympathized with her , but tired to curb her frantic desire for entire liberty , showing her that she must wait a little , learn self-control , and be ready to use her freedom before she asked for it . Nan had meek moments when she agreed to this , and the influences at work upon her were gradually taking effect . She no longer declared that she would be engine-driver or a blacksmith , but turned her mind to farming , and found in it a vent for the energy bottled up in her active little body . It did not quite satisfy her , however ; for her sage and sweet marjoram were dumb things , and could not thank her for her care . She wanted something human to love , work for , and protect , and was never happier than when the little boys brought their cut fingers , bumped heads , or bruised joints for her to `` mend-up . '' Seeing this , Mrs. Jo proposed that she should learn how to do it nicely , and Nursey had an apt pupil in bandaging , plastering , and fomenting . The boys began to call her `` Dr. Giddy-gaddy , '' and she liked it so well that Mrs. Jo one day said to the Professor , `` Fritz , I see what we can do for that child . She wants something to live for even now , and will be one of the sharp , strong , discontented women if she does not have it . Do n't let us snub her restless little nature , but do our best to give her the work she likes , and by and by persuade her father to let her study medicine . She will make a capital doctor , for she has courage , strong nerves , a tender heart , and an intense love and pity for the weak and suffering . '' Mr. Bhaer smiled at first , but agreed to try , and gave Nan an herb-garden , teaching her the various healing properties of the plants she tended , and letting her try their virtues on the children in the little illnesses they had from time to time . She learned fast , remembered well , and showed a sense and interest most encouraging to her Professor , who did not shut his door in her face because she was a little woman . She was thinking of this , as she sat in the willow that day , and when Daisy said in her gentle way , `` I love to keep house , and mean to have a nice one for Demi when we grow up and live together . '' Nan replied with decision `` Well , I have n't got any brother , and I do n't want any house to fuss over . I shall have an office , with lots of bottles and drawers and pestle things in it , and I shall drive round in a horse and chaise and cure sick people . That will be such fun . '' `` Ugh ! how can you bear the bad-smelling stuff and the nasty little powders and castor-oil and senna and hive syrup ? ''
cried XXXXX , with a shudder .
Bhaer Daisy Demi Fritz Giddy-gaddy Jo Nursey castor-oil first marjoram