– I fear you would have a long engagement, three or four years… John must secure a house before you can marry and do his service to the Union.
– John? Marry?... You mean that pokey old Mr. Brooke?... How did he weasel his way into this family?
– Jo! John has been very kind to visit father in the hospital every day…
– He's dull as powder. Meg, can't you at least marry someone amusing?
– I'm fond of Mr. Brooke. He's a good man. He's kind and serious... And I'm not afraid of being poor.
– Marmee, you can't just let her go and marry him!
– I'd hardly just go and marry anyone.
– I would rather Meg marry for love and be a poor man's wife than marry for riches and lose her self-respect.