Маленькие мужчины / Little men. Уровень 4

“I don’t care where I go, or how long I stay, And I won’t come here again,” with which wrathful speech Dan went away to put up his things, everyone of which Mr. Bhaer had given him.

The wagon stood at the door, and Mrs. Bhaer came out to speak to Dan, looking so sad that his heart smote him, and he said,

“May I say good-bye to Teddy?”

“Yes, dear; go in and kiss him, he will miss his Danny very much.”

He heard Mrs. Bhaer say pleadingly,

“Can’t we give the poor lad one more trial, Fritz?” and Mr.

“My dear, let him go where he can do no harm to others, while they do good to him, and by and by he will come back, I promise you.”

Dan heard Mrs. Bhaer sigh, and he wanted to ask for one more trial himself, but his pride did not let him, and he came out with the hard look on his face, shook hands without a word, and drove away with Mr. Bhaer, leaving Nat and Mrs. Jo with tears in their eyes.

A few days afterwards they received a letter from Mr. Page, saying that Dan was doing well, and they all rejoiced.

“Perhaps I could give him another chance.”

Mrs. Bhaer, however, nodded wisely and answered,

“Don’t be troubled, Fritz; the boy will come back to us, I’m sure of it.”

But time went on and no Dan came.

Naughty Nan

“Fritz, I’ve got a new idea,” cried Mrs. Bhaer, as she met her husband one day after school.

“Well, my dear, what is it?” and he waited willingly to hear the new plan, for some of Mrs. Jo’s ideas were droll, though usually they were quite sensible.

“Daisy needs a companion, and the boys will be the better with another girl among them. They pet and tyrannize Daisy, and she is getting spoilt. Then they must learn to be gentle, and improve their manners.”

“You are right, as usual. Now, who shall we have?” asked Mr. Bhaer.

“Little Annie Harding.

“What! Naughty Nan, as the lads call her?” cried Mr. Bhaer, looking very much amused.

“Yes, she is wild at home since her mother died, and is a bright child indeed. When I met her father in town I asked him why he did not send her to school. He said he would gladly if he could find a good school for girls.”

“Do you really want to take this little gypsy to torment you?” asked Mr. Bhaer, patting the hand that lay on his arm.