I felt so rich , so happy thinking of my blessings , that I made him a nice bundle , gave him some money , and thanked him heartily for the lesson he had taught me . '' `` Tell another story , Mother , one with a moral to it , like this . I like to think about them afterward , if they are real and not too preachy , '' said Jo , after a minute 's silence . Mrs. March smiled and began at once , for she had told stories to this little audience for many years , and knew how to please them . `` Once upon a time , there were four girls , who had enough to eat and drink and wear , a good many comforts and pleasures , kind friends and parents who loved them dearly , and yet they were not contented . '' -LRB- Here the listeners stole sly looks at one another , and began to sew diligently . -RRB- `` These girls were anxious to be good and made many excellent resolutions , but they did not keep them very well , and were constantly saying , ` If only we had this , ' or ` If we could only do that , ' quite forgetting how much they already had , and how many things they actually could do . So they asked an old woman what spell they could use to make them happy , and she said , ` When you feel discontented , think over your blessings , and be grateful . ' '' -LRB- Here Jo looked up quickly , as if about to speak , but changed her mind , seeing that the story was not done yet . -RRB- `` Being sensible girls , they decided to try her advice , and soon were surprised to see how well off they were . One discovered that money could n't keep shame and sorrow out of rich people 's houses , another that , though she was poor , she was a great deal happier , with her youth , health , and good spirits , than a certain fretful , feeble old lady who could n't enjoy her comforts , a third that , disagreeable as it was to help get dinner , it was harder still to go begging for it and the fourth , that even carnelian rings were not so valuable as good behavior . So they agreed to stop complaining , to enjoy the blessings already possessed , and try to deserve them , lest they should be taken away entirely , instead of increased , and I believe they were never disappointed or sorry that they took the old woman 's advice . '' `` Now , Marmee , that is very cunning of you to turn our own stories against us , and give us a sermon instead of a romance ! '' cried Meg . `` I like that kind of sermon . It 's the sort Father used to tell us , '' said Beth thoughtfully , putting the needles straight on Jo 's cushion . `` I do n't complain near as much as the others do , and I shall be more careful than ever now , for I 've had warning from Susie 's downfall , '' said Amy morally . `` We needed that lesson , and we wo n't forget it . If we do so , you just say to us , as old Chloe did in Uncle Tom , ` Tink ob yer marcies , chillen ! ' ` Tink ob yer marcies ! ' ''
added XXXXX , who could not , for the life of her , help getting a morsel of fun out of the little sermon , though she took it to heart as much as any of them .
Amy Beth Chloe Father Jo Mother Tom fourth marcies ob