` Wish I had the setting of it , ' said Nan to herself , with a professional twist of her hand . ` How 's Franz ? ' asked Mrs Jo . ` He 's going to be married ! There 's news for you . The first of the flock , Aunty , so say good-bye to him . Her name is Ludmilla Heldegard Blumenthal ; good family , well-off , pretty , and of course an angel . The dear old boy wants Uncle 's consent , and then he will settle down to be a happy and an honest burgher . Long life to him ! ' ` I 'm glad to hear it . I do so like to settle my boys with a good wife and a nice little home . Now , if all is right , I shall feel as if Franz was off my mind , ' said Mrs Jo , folding her hands contentedly ; for she often felt like a distracted hen with a large brood of mixed chickens and ducks upon her hands . ` So do I , ' sighed Tom , with a sly glance at Nan . ` That 's what a fellow needs to keep him steady ; and it 's the duty of nice girls to marry as soon as possible , is n't it , Demi ? ' ` If there are enough nice fellows to go round . The female population exceeds the male , you know , especially in New England ; which accounts for the high state of culture we are in , perhaps , ' answered John , who was leaning over his mother 's chair , telling his day 's experiences in a whisper . ` It is a merciful provision , my dears ; for it takes three or four women to get each man into , through , and out of the world . You are costly creatures , boys ; and it is well that mothers , sisters , wives , and daughters love their duty and do it so well , or you would perish off the face of the earth , ' said Mrs Jo solemnly , as she took up a basket filled with dilapidated hose ; for the good Professor was still hard on his socks , and his sons resembled him in that respect . ` Such being the case , there is plenty for the `` superfluous women '' to do , in taking care of these helpless men and their families . I see that more clearly every day , and am very glad and grateful that my profession will make me a useful , happy , and independent spinster . '
XXXXX 's emphasis on the last word caused Tom to groan , and the rest to laugh . '
Aunty England Jo Nan Professor Tom dears first right spinster