But young as she was, Jo had learned that hearts, like flowers, cannot be rudely handled, but must open naturally, so though she believed she knew th… - Louisa May Alcott

Jo had learned that hearts, like flowers, cannot be rudely handled, but must open naturally…

But young as she was, Jo had learned that hearts, like flowers, cannot be rudely handled, but must open naturally,

…tomorrow was her birthday, and she was thinking how fast the years went by, how old she was getting, and how little she seemed to have accomplished. Almost twenty-five and nothing to show for it.

...unlocking the treasuries of real home love and mutual helpfulness, which the poorest may possess, and the richest cannot buy.

Simple, sincere people seldom speak much of their piety; it shows itself in acts rather than words, and has more influence than homilies or protestations.