` To me it is a more vital subject than international copyright ; for time is money , peace is health , and I lose both with no return but less respect for my fellow creatures and a wild desire to fly into the wilderness , since I can not shut my doors even in free America . ' ` Lion-hunters are awful when in search of their prey . If they could change places for a while it would do them good ; and they 'd see what bores they were when they `` do themselves the honour of calling to express their admiration of our charming work '' , ' quoted Ted , with a bow to his parent , now frowning over twelve requests for autographs . ' I have made up my mind on one point , ' said Mrs Jo with great firmness . ' I will not answer this kind of letter . I 've sent at least six to this boy , and he probably sells them . This girl writes from a seminary , and if I send her one all the other girls will at once write for more . All begin by saying they know they intrude , and that I am of course annoyed by these requests ; but they venture to ask because I like boys , or they like the books , or it is only one . Emerson and Whittier put these things in the wastepaper-basket ; and though only a literary nursery-maid who provides moral pap for the young , I will follow their illustrious example ; for I shall have no time to eat or sleep if I try to satisfy these dear unreasonable children ' ; and Mrs Jo swept away the entire batch with a sigh of relief . ` I 'll open the others and let you eat your breakfast in peace , liebe Mutter , ' said Rob , who often acted as her secretary . ` Here 's one from the South ' ; and breaking an imposing seal , he read : ` MADAM , As it has pleased Heaven to bless your efforts with a large fortune , I feel no hesitation in asking you to supply funds to purchase a new communion-service for our church . To whatever denomination you belong , you will of course respond with liberality to such a request , ` Respectfully yours , ` MRS X.Y. ZAVIER ' ` Send a civil refusal , dear . All I have to give must go to feed and clothe the poor at my gates . That is my thank-offering for success . Go on , ' answered his mother , with a grateful glance about her happy home . ' A literary youth of eighteen proposes that you put your name to a novel he has written ; and after the first edition your name is to be taken off and his put on . There 's a cool proposal for you . I guess you wo n't agree to that , in spite of your soft-heartedness towards most of the young scribblers . ' ` Could n't be done . Tell him so kindly , and do n't let him send the manuscript .
I have seven on hand now , and barely time to read my own , ' said Mrs XXXXX , pensively fishing a small letter out of the slop-bowl and opening it with care , because the down-hill address suggested that a child wrote it . '
America Jo Rob Ted copyright first liebe nursery-maid thank-offering wastepaper-basket