`` Now I must either bundle it back in to my tin kitchen to mold , pay for printing it myself , or chop it up to suit purchasers and get what I can for it . Fame is a very good thing to have in the house , but cash is more convenient , so I wish to take the sense of the meeting on this important subject , '' said Jo , calling a family council . `` Do n't spoil your book , my girl , for there is more in it than you know , and the idea is well worked out . Let it wait and ripen , '' was her father 's advice , and he practiced what he preached , having waited patiently thirty years for fruit of his own to ripen , and being in no haste to gather it even now when it was sweet and mellow . `` It seems to me that Jo will profit more by taking the trial than by waiting , '' said Mrs. March . `` Criticism is the best test of such work , for it will show her both unsuspected merits and faults , and help her to do better next time . We are too partial , but the praise and blame of outsiders will prove useful , even if she gets but little money . '' `` Yes , '' said Jo , knitting her brows , `` that 's just it . I 've been fussing over the thing so long , I really do n't know whether it 's good , bad , or indifferent . It will be a great help to have cool , impartial persons take a look at it , and tell me what they think of it . '' `` I would n't leave a word out of it . You 'll spoil it if you do , for the interest of the story is more in the minds than in the actions of the people , and it will be all a muddle if you do n't explain as you go on , '' said Meg , who firmly believed that this book was the most remarkable novel ever written . `` But Mr. Allen says , ` Leave out the explanations , make it brief and dramatic , and let the characters tell the story ' , '' interrupted Jo , turning to the publisher 's note . `` Do as he tells you . He knows what will sell , and we do n't . Make a good , popular book , and get as much money as you can . By-and-by , when you 've got a name , you can afford to digress , and have philosophical and metaphysical people in your novels , '' said Amy , who took a strictly practical view of the subject . `` Well , '' said Jo , laughing , `` if my people are ` philosophical and metaphysical ' , it is n't my fault , for I know nothing about such things , except what I hear father say , sometimes . If I 've got some of his wise ideas jumbled up with my romance , so much the better for me . Now , Beth , what do you say ? ''
`` I should so like to see it printed soon , '' was all XXXXX said , and smiled in saying it .
Allen Amy Beth Jo Meg actions girl help muddle years