`` Wo n't Tommy charge for the feathers ? '' `` May be he will , but I sha n't pay him , and he wo n't care , '' returned Mrs. G. , taking a base advantage of the well-known good nature of T. Bangs . `` I think the pink will fade out of that dress sooner than the green mark will , '' observed Mrs. S. , looking down from her perch , and changing the subject , for she and her gossip differed on many points , and Mrs. Smith was a discreet lady . `` Never mind ; I 'm tired of dolls , and I guess I shall put them all away and attend to my farm ; I like it rather better than playing house , '' said Mrs. G. , unconsciously expressing the desire of many older ladies , who can not dispose of their families so easily however . `` But you must n't leave them ; they will die without their mother , '' cried the tender Mrs. Smith . `` Let 'em die then ; I 'm tired of fussing over babies , and I 'm going to play with the boys ; they need me to see to 'em , '' returned the strong-minded lady . Daisy knew nothing about women 's rights ; she quietly took all she wanted , and no one denied her claim , because she did not undertake what she could not carry out , but unconsciously used the all-powerful right of her own influence to win from others any privilege for which she had proved her fitness . Nan attempted all sorts of things , undaunted by direful failures , and clamored fiercely to be allowed to do every thing that the boys did . They laughed at her , hustled her out of the way , and protested against her meddling with their affairs . But she would not be quenched and she would be heard , for her will was strong , and she had the spirit of a rampant reformer . Mrs. Bhaer sympathized with her , but tired to curb her frantic desire for entire liberty , showing her that she must wait a little , learn self-control , and be ready to use her freedom before she asked for it . Nan had meek moments when she agreed to this , and the influences at work upon her were gradually taking effect . She no longer declared that she would be engine-driver or a blacksmith , but turned her mind to farming , and found in it a vent for the energy bottled up in her active little body . It did not quite satisfy her , however ; for her sage and sweet marjoram were dumb things , and could not thank her for her care . She wanted something human to love , work for , and protect , and was never happier than when the little boys brought their cut fingers , bumped heads , or bruised joints for her to `` mend-up . '' Seeing this , Mrs. Jo proposed that she should learn how to do it nicely , and Nursey had an apt pupil in bandaging , plastering , and fomenting . The boys began to call her `` Dr. Giddy-gaddy , '' and she liked it so well that Mrs. Jo one day said to the Professor , `` Fritz , I see what we can do for that child . She wants something to live for even now , and will be one of the sharp , strong , discontented women if she does not have it . Do n't let us snub her restless little nature , but do our best to give her the work she likes , and by and by persuade her father to let her study medicine . She will make a capital doctor , for she has courage , strong nerves , a tender heart , and an intense love and pity for the weak and suffering . ''
Mr. Bhaer smiled at first , but agreed to try , and gave XXXXX an herb-garden , teaching her the various healing properties of the plants she tended , and letting her try their virtues on the children in the little illnesses they had from time to time .
Bhaer Daisy Fritz Giddy-gaddy Jo Nan Nursey Professor Smith marjoram