And Jo dropped down beside the bed in a passion of penitent tears , telling all that had happened , bitterly condemning her hardness of heart , and sobbing out her gratitude for being spared the heavy punishment which might have come upon her . `` It 's my dreadful temper ! I try to cure it , I think I have , and then it breaks out worse than ever . Oh , Mother , what shall I do ? What shall I do ? '' cried poor Jo , in despair . `` Watch and pray , dear , never get tired of trying , and never think it is impossible to conquer your fault , '' said Mrs. March , drawing the blowzy head to her shoulder and kissing the wet cheek so tenderly that Jo cried even harder . `` You do n't know , you ca n't guess how bad it is ! It seems as if I could do anything when I 'm in a passion . I get so savage , I could hurt anyone and enjoy it . I 'm afraid I shall do something dreadful some day , and spoil my life , and make everybody hate me . Oh , Mother , help me , do help me ! '' `` I will , my child , I will . Do n't cry so bitterly , but remember this day , and resolve with all your soul that you will never know another like it . Jo , dear , we all have our temptations , some far greater than yours , and it often takes us all our lives to conquer them . You think your temper is the worst in the world , but mine used to be just like it . '' `` Yours , Mother ? Why , you are never angry ! '' And for the moment Jo forgot remorse in surprise . `` I 've been trying to cure it for forty years , and have only succeeded in controlling it .
I am angry nearly every XXXXX of my life , Jo , but I have learned not to show it , and I still hope to learn not to feel it , though it may take me another forty years to do so . ''
Jo Mother Yours anyone day everybody fault life world years