Louisa May Alcott 
Hospital Sketches 

’I want something to do.’
This remark being addressed to the world in general, no one in particular felt it their duty to reply; so I repeated it to the smaller world about me, received the following suggestions, and settled the matter by answering my own inquiry, as people are apt to do when very much in earnest.
’Write a book, ’ quoth the author of my being.
’Don’t know enough, sir. First live, then write.’
’Try teaching again, ’ suggested my mother.
’No thank you, ma’am, ten years of that is enough.’
’Take a husband like my Darby, and fulfill your mission, ’ said sister Joan, home on a visit.
’Can’t afford expensive luxuries, Mrs. Coobiddy.’
’Turn actress, and immortalize your name, ’ said sister Vashti, striking an attitude.
’I won’t.’
’Go nurse the soldiers, ’ said my young brother, Tom, panting for ’the tented field.’
’I will!’