I do n't worry about the girls ; Meg sees to them , and is so wise and patient and tender they ca n't help doing well ; but my boys are more care every year , and seem to drift farther away from me each time they go , ' sighed Mrs Jo . ` They will grow up , and I can only hold them by one little thread , which may snap at any time , as it has with Jack and Ned . Dolly and George still like to come back , and I can say my word to them ; and dear old Franz is too true ever to forget his own . But the three who are soon going out into the world again I ca n't help worrying about . Emil 's good heart will keep him straight , I hope , and ' `` A sweet little cherub sits up aloft , To look out for the life of poor Jack . '' ' Nat is to make his first flight , and he 's weak in spite of your strengthening influence ; and Dan is still untamed . I fear it will take some hard lesson to do that . ' ` He 's a fine fellow , Jo , and I almost regret this farming project . A little polish would make a gentleman of him , and who knows what he might become here among us , ' answered Mr Laurie , leaning over Mrs Bhaer 's chair , just as he used to do years ago when they had mischievous secrets together . ` It would n't be safe , Teddy . Work and the free life he loves will make a good man of him , and that is better than any amount of polish , with the dangers an easy life in a city would bring him . We ca n't change his nature -- only help it to develop in the right direction . The old impulses are there , and must be controlled , or he will go wrong . I see that ; but his love for us is a safeguard , and we must keep a hold on him till he is older or has a stronger tie to help him . ' Mrs Jo spoke earnestly , for , knowing Dan better than anyone else , she saw that her colt was not thoroughly broken yet , and feared while she hoped , knowing that life would always be hard for one like him . She was sure that before he went away again , in some quiet moment he would give her a glimpse of his inner self , and then she could say the word of warning or encouragement that he needed . So she bided her time , studying him meanwhile , glad to see all that was promising , and quick to detect the harm the world was doing him . She was very anxious to make a success of her ` firebrand ' because others predicted failure ; but having learned that people can not be moulded like clay , she contented herself with the hope that this neglected boy might become a good man , and asked no more . Even that was much to expect , so full was he of wayward impulses , strong passions , and the lawless nature born in him . Nothing held him but the one affection of his life -- the memory of Plumfield , the fear of disappointing these faithful friends , the pride , stronger than principle , that made him want to keep the regard of the mates who always had admired and loved him in spite of all his faults .
` Do n't fret , old dear ; XXXXX is one of the happy-go-lucky sort who always fall on their legs .
Dan Dolly Emil Jack Jo Nat Plumfield firebrand right year