“IshalldevotethewholeofmyplottothelargestcropofpatienceIcanget，forthatiswhatIneedmost，“saidMrs。Jo，sosoberlythattheladsfelltothinkingingoodearnestwhattheyshouldsaywhentheirturnscame，andsomeamongthemfeltatwingeofremorse，thattheyhadhelpedtouseupMotherBhaer’sstockofpatiencesofast。
Franzwantedperseverance，Tommysteadiness，Nedwentinforgoodtemper，Daisyforindustry，Demifor“asmuchwisenessasGrandpa，“andNattimidlysaidhewantedsomanythingshewouldletMr。Bhaerchooseforhim。Theotherschosemuchthesamethings，andpatience，goodtemper，andgenerosityseemedthefavoritecrops。Oneboywishedtoliketogetupearly，butdidnotknowwhatnametogivethatsortofseed；andpoorStuffysighedout，­；
“IwishIlovedmylessonsasmuchasIdomydinner，butIcan’t。“
“Wewillplantself-denial，andhoeitandwaterit，andmakeitgrowsowellthatnextChristmasnoonewillgetillbyeatingtoomuchdinner。
Ifyouexerciseyourmind，George，itwillgethungryjustasyourbodydoes，andyouwilllovebooksalmostasmuchasmyphilosopherhere，“saidMr。Bhaer；adding，ashestrokedthehairoffDemi’sfineforehead，“Youaregreedyalso，myson，andyouliketostuffyourlittlemindfulloffairytalesandfancies，aswellasGeorgelikestofillhislittlestomachwithcakeandcandy。Botharebad，andIwantyoutotrysomethingbetter。