This hope did more for him than the Professor 's counsels , Mrs Jo 's care , or Mr Laurie 's generous help . For her sake he worked , waited , and hoped , finding courage and patience in the dream of that happy future when Daisy should make a little home for him and he fiddle a fortune into her lap . Mrs Jo knew this ; and though he was not exactly the man she would have chosen for her niece , she felt that Nat would always need just the wise and loving care Daisy could give him , and that without it there was danger of his being one of the amiable and aimless men who fail for want of the right pilot to steer them safely through the world . Mrs Meg decidedly frowned upon the poor boy 's love , and would not hear of giving her dear girl to any but the best man to be found on the face of the earth . She was very kind , but as firm as such gentle souls can be ; and Nat fled for comfort to Mrs Jo , who always espoused the interests of her boys heartily . A new set of anxieties was beginning now that the aforesaid boys were growing up , and she foresaw no end of worry as well as amusement in the love-affairs already budding in her flock . Mrs Meg was usually her best ally and adviser , for she loved romances as well now as when a blooming girl herself . But in this case she hardened her heart , and would not hear a word of entreaty . ` Nat was not man enough , never would be , no one knew his family , a musician 's life was a hard one ; Daisy was too young , five or six years hence when time had proved both perhaps . Let us see what absence will do for him . ' And that was the end of it , for when the maternal Pelican was roused she could be very firm , though for her precious children she would have plucked her last feather and given the last drop of her blood . Mrs Jo was thinking of this as she looked at Nat while he talked with her husband about Leipzig , and she resolved to have a clear understanding with him before he went ; for she was used to confidences , and talked freely with her boys about the trials and temptations that beset all lives in the beginning , and so often mar them , for want of the right word at the right moment . This is the first duty of parents , and no false delicacy should keep them from the watchful care , the gentle warning , which makes self-knowledge and self-control the compass and pilot of the young as they leave the safe harbour of home . ` Plato and his disciples approach , ' announced irreverent Teddy , as Mr March came in with several young men and women about him ; for the wise old man was universally beloved , and ministered so beautifully to his flock that many of them thanked him all their lives for the help given to both hearts and souls . Bess went to him at once ; for since Marmee died , Grandpapa was her special care , and it was sweet to see the golden head bend over the silver one as she rolled out his easy-chair and waited on him with tender alacrity . ` Aesthetic tea always on tap here , sir ; will you have a flowing bowl or a bit of ambrosia ? ' asked Laurie , who was wandering about with a sugar-basin in one hand and a plate of cake in the other ; for sweetening cups and feeding the hungry was work he loved . ` Neither , thanks ; this child has taken care of me ' ; and Mr March turned to Bess , who sat on one arm of his chair , holding a glass of fresh milk . ` Long may she live to do it , sir , and I be here to see this pretty contradiction of the song that `` youth and age can not live together '' ! ' answered Laurie , smiling at the pair . '
`` Crabbed age '' , papa ; that makes all the difference in the world , ' said XXXXX quickly ; for she loved poetry , and read the best .
Bess Daisy Grandpapa Jo Laurie Pelican Plato Professor ambrosia entreaty