Маленькие мужчины / Little men. Уровень 4

Franz took Demi away to his own bed, where the kind lad soothed his fright and hummed him to sleep as cosily as a woman. Nursey watched over poor Tommy all night, trying to ease his misery.

When Mr. Bhaer got home next morning he found a nice state of things. Tommy in bed, Teddy wheezing like a little grampus, Mrs. Jo exhausted, and the boys so excited that they all talked at once, and almost dragged him to view the ruins.

There was no school that morning, but by afternoon the invalids were better, and there was time to hear and judge the little culprits quietly.

Nat and Tommy told their parts in the mischief, and were honestly sorry for the danger they had brought to the dear old house and all in it. But Dan put on his devil-may-care look[18 - devil-may-care look – беззаботный вид].

Mr. Bhaer hated drinking, gambling, and swearing. It grieved and angered him deeply to find that the boy, with whom he had tried to be most forbearing, took advantage of his absence to introduce these forbidden vices, and teach his innocent little lads to think it manly and pleasant to indulge in them.

He talked long and earnestly to the assembled boys,

“I think Tommy is punished enough, and that scar on his arm will remind him for a long time to let these things alone. Nat’s fright will be enough for him, for he is really sorry, and does try to obey me. But you, Dan, have been many times forgiven, and yet it does no good.

I cannot have my boys hurt by your bad example, nor my time wasted in talking to deaf ears. So you can say good-bye to them all, and tell Nursey to put up your things in my little black bag.”

“Oh! sir, where is he going?” cried Nat.

“To a pleasant place up in the country, where I sometimes send boys when they don’t do well here. Mr. Page is a kind man, and Dan will be happy there, I hope.”

“Will he ever come back?” asked Demi.

“That will depend on himself; I hope so.

”

As he spoke, Mr. Bhaer left the room to write his letter to Mr. Page, and the boys crowded round Dan.

“Will you like it?” began Jack.

“I shan’t stay if I don’t,” said Dan coolly.

“Where will you go?” asked Nat.

“I may go to sea, or out west, or to California,” answered Dan, with a reckless air.

“Oh, don’t! Stay with Mr. Page awhile and then come back here; do, Dan,” pleaded Nat.