Jo hardly knew her own MS. again , so crumpled and underscored were its pages and paragraphs , but feeling as a tender parent might on being asked to cut off her baby 's legs in order that it might fit into a new cradle , she looked at the marked passages and was surprised to find that all the moral reflections -- which she had carefully put in as ballast for much romance -- had been stricken out . `` But , Sir , I thought every story should have some sort of a moral , so I took care to have a few of my sinners repent . '' Mr. Dashwoods 's editorial gravity relaxed into a smile , for Jo had forgotten her ` friend ' , and spoken as only an author could . `` People want to be amused , not preached at , you know . Morals do n't sell nowadays . '' Which was not quite a correct statement , by the way . `` You think it would do with these alterations , then ? '' `` Yes , it 's a new plot , and pretty well worked up -- language good , and so on , '' was Mr. Dashwood 's affable reply . `` What do you -- that is , what compensation -- '' began Jo , not exactly knowing how to express herself . `` Oh , yes , well , we give from twenty-five to thirty for things of this sort . Pay when it comes out , '' returned Mr. Dashwood , as if that point had escaped him . Such trifles do escape the editorial mind , it is said . `` Very well , you can have it , '' said Jo , handing back the story with a satisfied air , for after the dollar-a-column work , even twenty-five seemed good pay . `` Shall I tell my friend you will take another if she has one better than this ? '' asked Jo , unconscious of her little slip of the tongue , and emboldened by her success . `` Well , we 'll look at it . Ca n't promise to take it . Tell her to make it short and spicy , and never mind the moral . What name would your friend like to put on it ? '' in a careless tone .
`` None at all , if you please , she does n't wish her name to appear and has no nom de plume , '' said XXXXX , blushing in spite of herself .
Dashwood Dashwoods Jo MS. Mr. Sir alterations escape paragraphs trifles