Meg , my dear , I value the womanly skill which keeps home happy more than white hands or fashionable accomplishments . I 'm proud to shake this good , industrious little hand , and hope I shall not soon be asked to give it away . '' If Meg had wanted a reward for hours of patient labor , she received it in the hearty pressure of her father 's hand and the approving smile he gave her . `` What about Jo ? Please say something nice , for she has tried so hard and been so very , very good to me , '' said Beth in her father 's ear . He laughed and looked across at the tall girl who sat opposite , with an unusually mild expression in her face . `` In spite of the curly crop , I do n't see the ` son Jo ' whom I left a year ago , '' said Mr. March . `` I see a young lady who pins her collar straight , laces her boots neatly , and neither whistles , talks slang , nor lies on the rug as she used to do . Her face is rather thin and pale just now , with watching and anxiety , but I like to look at it , for it has grown gentler , and her voice is lower . She does n't bounce , but moves quietly , and takes care of a certain little person in a motherly way which delights me . I rather miss my wild girl , but if I get a strong , helpful , tenderhearted woman in her place , I shall feel quite satisfied . I do n't know whether the shearing sobered our black sheep , but I do know that in all Washington I could n't find anything beautiful enough to be bought with the five-and-twenty dollars my good girl sent me . '' Jo 's keen eyes were rather dim for a minute , and her thin face grew rosy in the firelight as she received her father 's praise , feeling that she did deserve a portion of it . `` Now , Beth , '' said Amy , longing for her turn , but ready to wait . `` There 's so little of her , I 'm afraid to say much , for fear she will slip away altogether , though she is not so shy as she used to be , '' began their father cheerfully . But recollecting how nearly he had lost her , he held her close , saying tenderly , with her cheek against his own , `` I 've got you safe , my Beth , and I 'll keep you so , please God . '' After a minute 's silence , he looked down at Amy , who sat on the cricket at his feet , and said , with a caress of the shining hair ... `` I observed that Amy took drumsticks at dinner , ran errands for her mother all the afternoon , gave Meg her place tonight , and has waited on every one with patience and good humor . I also observe that she does not fret much nor look in the glass , and has not even mentioned a very pretty ring which she wears , so I conclude that she has learned to think of other people more and of herself less , and has decided to try and mold her character as carefully as she molds her little clay figures . I am glad of this , for though I should be very proud of a graceful statue made by her , I shall be infinitely prouder of a lovable daughter with a talent for making life beautiful to herself and others . '' `` What are you thinking of , Beth ? ''
asked Jo , when XXXXX had thanked her father and told about her ring .
Amy Beth Meg Washington afternoon drumsticks labor left minute whistles