To the seaside they went , after much discussion , and though Beth did n't come home as plump and rosy as could be desired , she was much better , while Mrs. March declared she felt ten years younger . So Jo was satisfied with the investment of her prize money , and fell to work with a cheery spirit , bent on earning more of those delightful checks . She did earn several that year , and began to feel herself a power in the house , for by the magic of a pen , her ` rubbish ' turned into comforts for them all . The Duke 's Daughter paid the butcher 's bill , A Phantom Hand put down a new carpet , and the Curse of the Coventrys proved the blessing of the Marches in the way of groceries and gowns . Wealth is certainly a most desirable thing , but poverty has its sunny side , and one of the sweet uses of adversity is the genuine satisfaction which comes from hearty work of head or hand , and to the inspiration of necessity , we owe half the wise , beautiful , and useful blessings of the world . Jo enjoyed a taste of this satisfaction , and ceased to envy richer girls , taking great comfort in the knowledge that she could supply her own wants , and need ask no one for a penny . Little notice was taken of her stories , but they found a market , and encouraged by this fact , she resolved to make a bold stroke for fame and fortune . Having copied her novel for the fourth time , read it to all her confidential friends , and submitted it with fear and trembling to three publishers , she at last disposed of it , on condition that she would cut it down one third , and omit all the parts which she particularly admired . `` Now I must either bundle it back in to my tin kitchen to mold , pay for printing it myself , or chop it up to suit purchasers and get what I can for it . Fame is a very good thing to have in the house , but cash is more convenient , so I wish to take the sense of the meeting on this important subject , '' said Jo , calling a family council . `` Do n't spoil your book , my girl , for there is more in it than you know , and the idea is well worked out . Let it wait and ripen , '' was her father 's advice , and he practiced what he preached , having waited patiently thirty years for fruit of his own to ripen , and being in no haste to gather it even now when it was sweet and mellow . `` It seems to me that Jo will profit more by taking the trial than by waiting , '' said Mrs. March . `` Criticism is the best test of such work , for it will show her both unsuspected merits and faults , and help her to do better next time . We are too partial , but the praise and blame of outsiders will prove useful , even if she gets but little money . '' `` 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 XXXXX , turning to the publisher 's note .
Beth Coventrys Duke Jo Meg fourth muddle third year years