Now he is the handsomest of all the boys , and very entertaining with his stories and plans . I like him very much ; he 's so big and strong and independent . I 'm tired of mollycoddles and book-worms , ' said Nan in her decided way . ` Not handsomer that Nat ! ' cried loyal Daisy , contrasting two faces below , one unusually gay , the other sentimentally sober even in the act of munching cake . ' I like Dan , and am glad he is doing well ; but he tires me , and I 'm still a little afraid of him . Quiet people suit me best . ' ` Life is a fight , and I like a good soldier . Boys take things too easily , do n't see how serious it all is and go to work in earnest . Look at that absurd Tom , wasting his time and making an object of himself just because he ca n't have what he wants , like a baby crying for the moon . I 've no patience with such nonsense , ' scolded Nan , looking down at the jovial Thomas , who was playfully putting macaroons in Emil 's shoes , and trying to beguile his exile as best he could . ` Most girls would be touched by such fidelity . I think it 's beautiful , ' said Daisy behind her fan ; for other girls sat just below . ` You are a sentimental goose and not a judge . Nat will be twice the man when he comes back after his trip . I wish Tom was going with him . My idea is that if we girls have any influence we should use it for the good of these boys , and not pamper them up , making slaves of ourselves and tyrants of them . Let them prove what they can do and be before they ask anything of us , and give us a chance to do the same . Then we know where we are , and shall not make mistakes to mourn over all our lives . ' ` Hear , hear ! '
cried Alice Heath , who was a girl after XXXXX 's own heart , and had chosen a career , like a brave and sensible young woman .
Daisy Dan Emil Nan Nat Thomas Tom book-worms independent mollycoddles