` Other fellows , poorer and stupider than I , have done great things and come to honour . Why may not I , though I 'm nothing now ? I know Mrs Brooke remembers what I came from , but my father was honest though everything went wrong ; and I have nothing to be ashamed of though I was a charity boy . I never will be ashamed of my people or myself , and I 'll make other folks respect me if I can . ' ` Good ! that 's the right spirit , Nat . Hold to it and make yourself a man . No one will be quicker to see and admire the brave work than my sister Meg . She does not despise your poverty or your past ; but mothers are very tender over their daughters , and we Marches , though we have been poor , are , I confess , a little proud of our good family . We do n't care for money ; but a long line of virtuous ancestors is something to desire and to be proud of . ' ` Well , the Blakes are a good lot . I looked 'em up , and not one was ever in prison , hanged , or disgraced in any way . We used to be rich and honoured years ago , but we 've died out and got poor , and father was a street musician rather than beg ; and I 'll be one again before I 'll do the mean things some men do and pass muster . ' Nat was so excited that Mrs Jo indulged in a laugh to calm him , and both went on more quietly . ' I told my sister all that and it pleased her . I am sure if you do well these next few years that she will relent and all be happily settled , unless that wonderful change , which you do n't believe possible , should occur . Now , cheer up ; do n't be lackadaisical and blue . Say good-bye cheerfully and bravely , show a manly front , and leave a pleasant memory behind you . We all wish you well and hope much for you . Write to me every week and I 'll send a good , gossipy answer .
Be careful what you write to Daisy ; do n't gush or wail , for sister XXXXX will see the letters ; and you can help your cause very much by sending sensible , cheery accounts of your life to us all . ' '
Blakes Brooke Jo Meg Nat ancestors laugh money right week