…marriage, they say, halves one's rights and doubles one's duties. - Louisa May Alcott

Right Jo better be happy old maids than unhappy wives or unmaidenly girls running about to find husbands.

The invigorating air did them both good, and much exercise worked wholesome changes in minds as well as bodies. They seemed to get clearer views of life and duty up there among the everlasting hills. The fresh winds blew away desponding doubts, delusive fancies, and moody mists. The warm spring sunshine brought out all sorts of aspiring ideas, tender hopes, and happy thoughts. The lake seemed to wash away the troubles of the past, and the grand old mountains to look benignly down upon them saying, "Little children, love one another."

If life is often so hard as this, I don't see how we ever shall get through it…