Jo has always dreamed of becoming a rich and successful writer. Her desire for money is not for her own sake, but for the sake of her family, who would benefit greatly from her success. In order to fulfill this dream, she begins writing trashy thriller stories that earn relatively high paychecks.

The first time Jo writes such a story, she delivers it to the office of a newspaper called the Weekly Volcano. A week later, the editor offers her $25 for the piece, on the condition that she allow him to cut out all of the moral parts. Jo is a bit taken aback, but she agrees to his terms. Over the next few months, she writes several more trashy stories and collects whatever money she can get for them. She publishes her work anonymously and avoids telling her family about it.

Over time, Jo’s friendship with Professor Bhaer grows stronger. She studies him, hoping to learn what makes him such a good and likable person. He is not rich or handsome—two traits that are common among well-liked people—but everyone loves and respects him. After a while, she realizes that people are attracted to his gentle and generous nature. He focuses his energy on others’ needs rather than his own, and he is a happy person because of it.

Jo’s friendship with Miss Norton also grows, and with it comes a chance to meet some of New York’s many literary personalities. One evening at a party, she hovers in a corner listening to a group of philosophers tear down all of the religious and moral ideals Jo has held her whole life. She finds it fascinating to listen to them. However, Professor Bhaer also hears them, and he argues for good old-fashioned religious beliefs. He does not make his points as well as the philosophers do, but his perspective is refreshing to Jo, who realizes that she agrees with him. Her respect for him increases.

One day during one of Jo’s German lessons, Professor Bhaer happens to see a page from a sensational newspaper similar to the Weekly Volcano. He says offhand that the contents of such stories are harmful and that girls like Jo should not read them. Hesitantly, Jo says that writing such stories allows “respectable people” to support themselves honestly. Professor Bhaer replies:

If the respectable people knew what harm they did, they would not feel that the living was honest.

Afterward, Jo returns to her room, reads her stories, and decides that her friend is right. She burns her unfinished stories and stops writing trash. She makes a few attempts to write moral pieces again, but she finds it difficult. In the end, she decides to quit writing until she has learned more about life.

Unbeknownst to Jo, Professor Bhaer has realized what is happening in her writing life. He does not say anything more on the subject, but he watches over her and feels pleased when he realizes that she has chosen good morals over good money.

A few months later, it is time for Jo to return home. She bids Professor Bhaer goodbye and invites him to visit her. He seems reluctant, and he acts jealous whenever she mentions Laurie. Jo, for no reason she understands, feels embarrassed at this. She leaves New York thinking that she hopes to keep the friendship of Professor Bhaer forever.