`` 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 Beth said , and smiled in saying it . But there was an unconscious emphasis on the last word , and a wistful look in the eyes that never lost their childlike candor , which chilled Jo 's heart for a minute with a forboding fear , and decided her to make her little venture ` soon ' . So , with Spartan firmness , the young authoress laid her first-born on her table , and chopped it up as ruthlessly as any ogre . In the hope of pleasing everyone , she took everyone 's advice , and like the old man and his donkey in the fable suited nobody . Her father liked the metaphysical streak which had unconsciously got into it , so that was allowed to remain though she had her doubts about it . Her mother thought that there was a trifle too much description . Out , therefore it came , and with it many necessary links in the story .
XXXXX admired the tragedy , so Jo piled up the agony to suit her , while Amy objected to the fun , and , with the best intentions in life , Jo quenched the spritly scenes which relieved the somber character of the story .
Allen Amy Beth Jo Meg Spartan authoress forboding minute ogre