` Whose fault is that ? ' asked Demi , smiling , as he remembered his mother 's early triumphs and unquenchable interest in the dramatic efforts of the young people round her . ` Mine , I know . How could it be otherwise when I acted Babes in the Wood with you and Daisy before you could speak , and taught Josie to declaim Mother Goose in her cradle . Ah , me ! the tastes of the mother come out in her children , and she must atone for them by letting them have their own way , I suppose . ' And Mrs Meg laughed , even while she shook her head over the undeniable fact that the Marches were a theatrical family . ` Why not have a great actress of our name , as well as an authoress , a minister , and an eminent publisher ? We do n't choose our talents , but we need n't hide them in a napkin because they are not just what we want . I say , let Jo have her way , and do what she can . Here am I to take care of her ; and you ca n't deny you 'd enjoy fixing her furbelows , and seeing her shine before the footlights , where you used to long to be . Come , mother , better face the music and march gaily , since your wilful children will `` gang their ain gait '' . ' ' I do n't see but I must , and `` leave the consequences to the Lord '' , as Marmee used to say when she had to decide , and only saw a step of the road . I should enjoy it immensely , if I could only feel that the life would not hurt my girl , and leave her unsatisfied when it was too late to change ; for nothing is harder to give up than the excitements of that profession . I know something of it ; and if your blessed father had not come along , I 'm afraid I should have been an actress in spite of Aunt March and all our honoured ancestors . ' ` Let Josie add new honour to the name , and work out the family talent in its proper place . I 'll play dragon to her , and you play nurse , and no harm can come to our little Juliet , no matter how many Romeos spoon under her balcony . Really , ma'am , opposition comes badly from an old lady who is going to wring the hearts of our audience in the heroine 's part in Aunty 's play next Christmas . It 's the most pathetic thing I ever saw , mother ; and I 'm sorry you did n't become an actress , though we should be nowhere if you had . ' Demi was on his legs now , with his back to the fire , in the lordly attitude men like to assume when things go well with them , or they want to lay down the law on any subject .
Mrs XXXXX actually blushed at her son 's hearty praise , and could not deny that the sound of applause was as sweet now as when she played the Witch 's Curse and The Moorish Maiden 's Vow long years ago .
Aunty Daisy Demi Jo Meg Mother Romeos ain fire furbelows