`` No ; I think the graceful woman , whom the boy you allude to married , has done more for him than the wild Nan of his youth ; or , better still , the wise , motherly woman who watched over him , as Daisy watches over Demi , did more to make him what he is ; '' and Jo turned toward her mother , who sat a little apart with Meg , looking so full of the sweet dignity and beauty of old age , that Laurie gave her a glance of filial respect and love as he replied , in serious earnest , `` All three did much for him , and I can understand how well these little girls will help your lads . '' `` Not more than the lads help them ; it is mutual , I assure you . Nat does much for Daisy with his music ; Dan can manage Nan better than any of us ; and Demi teaches your Goldilocks so easily and well that Fritz calls them Roger Ascham and Lady Jane Grey . Dear me ! if men and women would only trust , understand , and help one another as my children do , what a capital place the world would be ! '' and Mrs. Jo 's eyes grew absent , as if she was looking at a new and charming state of society in which people lived as happily and innocently as her flock at Plumfield . `` You are doing your best to help on the good time , my dear . Continue to believe in it , to work for it , and to prove its possibility by the success of her small experiment , '' said Mr. March , pausing as he passed to say an encouraging word , for the good man never lost his faith in humanity , and still hoped to see peace , good-will , and happiness reign upon the earth . `` I am not so ambitious as that , father . I only want to give these children a home in which they can be taught a few simple things which will help to make life less hard to them when they go out to fight their battles in the world . Honesty , courage , industry , faith in God , their fellow-creatures , and themselves ; that is all I try for . '' `` That is every thing . Give them these helps , then let them go to work out their life as men and women ; and whatever their success or failure is , I think they will remember and bless your efforts , my good son and daughter . '' The Professor had joined them , and as Mr. March spoke he gave a hand to each , and left them with a look that was a blessing . As Jo and her husband stood together for a moment talking quietly , and feeling that their summer work had been well done if father approved , Mr. Laurie slipped into the hall , said a word to the children , and all of a sudden the whole flock pranced into the room , joined hands and danced about Father and Mother Bhaer , singing blithely , `` Summer days are over , Summer work is done ; Harvests have been gathered Gayly one by one . Now the feast is eaten , Finished is the play ; But one rite remains for Our Thanksgiving-day . `` Best of all the harvest In the dear God 's sight , Are the happy children In the home to-night ; And we come to offer Thanks where thanks are due , With grateful hearts and voices , Father , mother , unto you . '' With the last words the circle narrowed till the good Professor and his wife were taken prisoner by many arms , and half hidden by the bouquet of laughing young faces which surrounded them , proving that one plant had taken root and blossomed beautifully in all the little gardens . CHAPTER ONE PLAYING PILGRIMS `` Christmas wo n't be Christmas without any presents , '' grumbled Jo , lying on the rug . `` It 's so dreadful to be poor ! ''
sighed XXXXX , looking down at her old dress .
Bhaer Daisy Dan Father Goldilocks Jo Meg Thanksgiving-day days to-night