July had come, and haying begun; the little gardens were doingfinely and the long summer days were full of pleasant hours. Thehouse stood open from morning till night, and the lads lived out ofdoors, except at school time. The lessons were short, and therewere many holidays, for the Bhaers believed in cultivating healthybodies by much exercise, and our short summers are best used inout-of-door work. Such a rosy, sunburnt, hearty set as the boysbecame; such appetites as they had; such sturdy arms and legs, asoutgrew jackets and trousers; such laughing and racing all over theplace; such antics in house and barn; such adventures in the trampsover hill and dale; and such satisfaction in the hearts of the worthyBhaers, as they saw their flock prospering in mind and body, Icannot begin to describe. Only one thing was needed to make themquite happy, and it came when they least expected it.

One balmy night when the little lads were in bed, the elder onesbathing down at the brook, and Mrs. Bhaer undressing Teddy inher parlor, he suddenly cried out, "Oh, my Danny!" and pointed tothe window, where the moon shone brightly.

"No, lovey, he is not there, it was the pretty moon," said hismother.

"No, no, Danny at a window; Teddy saw him," persisted baby,much excited.

"It might have been," and Mrs. Bhaer hurried to the window,hoping it would prove true. But the face was gone, and nowhereappeared any signs of a mortal boy; she called his name, ran to thefront door with Teddy in his little shirt, and made him call too,thinking the baby voice might have more effect than her own. Noone answered, nothing appeared , and they went back muchdisappointed. Teddy would not be satisfied with the moon, andafter he was in his crib kept popping up his head to ask if Dannywas not "tummin' soon."

By and by he fell asleep, the lads trooped up to bed, the housegrew still, and nothing but the chirp of the crickets broke the softsilence of the summer night. Mrs. Bhaer sat sewing, for the bigbasket was always piled with socks, full of portentous holes, andthinking of the lost boy. She had decided that baby had beenmistaken, and did not even disturb Mr. Bhaer by telling him of thechild's fancy, for the poor man got little time to himself till theboys were abed, and he was busy writing letters. It was past tenwhen she rose to shut up the house. As she paused a minute toenjoy the lovely scene from the steps, something white caught hereye on one of the hay-cocks scattered over the lawn. The childrenhad been playing there all the afternoon, and, fancying that Nanhad left her hat as usual, Mrs. Bhaer went out to get it. But as sheapproached, she saw that it was neither hat nor handkerchief, but ashirt sleeve with a brown hand sticking out of it. She hurried roundthe hay-cock, and there lay Dan, fast asleep.

Ragged, dirty, thin, and worn-out he looked; one foot was bare, theother tied up in the old gingham jacket which he had taken fromhis own back to use as a clumsy bandage for some hurt. He seemedto have hidden himself behind the hay-cock, but in his sleep hadthrown out the arm that had betrayed him. He sighed and mutteredas if his dreams disturbed him, and once when he moved, hegroaned as if in pain, but still slept on quite spent with weariness.

"He must not lie here," said Mrs. Bhaer, and stooping over him shegently called his name. He opened his eyes and looked at her, as ifshe was a part of his dream, for he smiled and said drowsily,"Mother Bhaer, I've come home."

The look, the words, touched her very much, and she put her handunder his head to lift him up, saying in her cordial way,

"I thought you would, and I'm so glad to see you, Dan." He seemedto wake thoroughly then, and started up looking about him as if hesuddenly remembered where he was, and doubted even that kindwelcome. His face changed, and he said in his old rough way,

"I was going off in the morning. I only stopped to peek in, as Iwent by."

"But why not come in, Dan? Didn't you hear us call you? Teddysaw, and cried for you."

"Didn't suppose you'd let me in," he said, fumbling with a littlebundle which he had taken up as if going immediately.

"Try and see," was all Mrs. Bhaer answered, holding out her handand pointing to the door, where the light shone hospitably.

With a long breath, as if a load was off his mind, Dan took up astout stick, and began to limp towards the house, but stoppedsuddenly, to say inquiringly,

"Mr. Bhaer won't like it. I ran away from Page."

"He knows it, and was sorry, but it will make no difference. Areyou lame?" asked Mrs. Jo, as he limped on again.

"Getting over a wall a stone fell on my foot and smashed it. I don'tmind," and he did his best to hide the pain each step cost him.

Mrs. Bhaer helped him into her own room, and, once there, hedropped into a chair, and laid his head back, white and faint withweariness and suffering.

"My poor Dan! drink this, and then eat a little; you are at homenow, and Mother Bhaer will take good care of you."

He only looked up at her with eyes full of gratitude, as he drankthe wine she held to his lips, and then began slowly to eat the foodshe brought him. Each mouthful seemed to put heart into him, andpresently he began to talk as if anxious to have her know all abouthim.

"Where have you been, Dan?" she asked, beginning to get outsome bandages.

"I ran off more'n a month ago. Page was good enough, but toostrict. I didn't like it, so I cut away down the river with a man whowas going in his boat. That's why they couldn't tell where I'd gone.When I left the man, I worked for a couple of weeks with a farmer,but I thrashed his boy, and then the old man thrashed me, and I ranoff again and walked here."

"All the way?"

"Yes, the man didn't pay me, and I wouldn't ask for it. Took it outin beating the boy," and Dan laughed, yet looked ashamed, as heglanced at his ragged clothes and dirty hands.

"How did you live? It was a long, long tramp for a boy like you."

"Oh, I got on well enough, till I hurt my foot. Folks gave me thingsto eat, and I slept in barns and tramped by day. I got lost trying tomake a short cut, or I'd have been here sooner."

"But if you did not mean to come in and stay with us, what wereyou going to do?"

"I thought I'd like to see Teddy again, and you; and then I wasgoing back to my old work in the city, only I was so tired I went tosleep on the hay. I'd have been gone in the morning, if you hadn'tfound me."

"Are you sorry I did?" and Mrs. Jo looked at him with a half merry,half reproachful look, as she knelt down to look at his woundedfoot.

The color came up into Dan's face, and he kept his eyes fixed onhis plate, as he said very low, "No, ma'am, I'm glad, I wanted tostay, but I was afraid you "

He did not finish, for Mrs. Bhaer interrupted him by anexclamation of pity, as she saw his foot, for it was seriously hurt.

"When did you do it?"

"Three days ago."

"And you have walked on it in this state?"

"I had a stick, and I washed it at every brook I came to, and onewoman gave me a rag to put on it."

"Mr. Bhaer must see and dress it at once," and Mrs. Jo hastenedinto the next room, leaving the door ajar behind her, so that Danheard all that passed.

"Fritz, the boy has come back."

"Who? Dan?"

"Yes, Teddy saw him at the window, and he called to him, but hewent away and hid behind the hay-cocks on the lawn. I found himthere just now fast asleep, and half dead with weariness and pain.He ran away from Page a month ago, and has been making his wayto us ever since. He pretends that he did not mean to let us seehim, but go on to the city, and his old work, after a look at us. It isevident, however, that the hope of being taken in has led him herethrough every thing, and there he is waiting to know if you willforgive and take him back."

"Did he say so?"

"His eyes did, and when I waked him, he said, like a lost child,'Mother Bhaer, I've come home.' I hadn't the heart to scold him,and just took him in like a poor little black sheep come back to thefold. I may keep him, Fritz?"

"Of course you may! This proves to me that we have a hold on theboy's heart, and I would no more send him away now than I wouldmy own Rob."

Dan heard a soft little sound, as if Mrs. Jo thanked her husbandwithout words, and, in the instant's silence that followed, two greattears that had slowly gathered in the boy's eyes brimmed over androlled down his dusty cheeks. No one saw them, for he brushedthem hastily away; but in that little pause I think Dan's old distrustfor these good people vanished for ever, the soft spot in his heartwas touched, and he felt an impetuous desire to prove himselfworthy of the love and pity that was so patient and forgiving. Hesaid nothing, he only wished the wish with all his might, resolvedto try in his blind boyish way, and sealed his resolution with thetears which neither pain, fatigue, nor loneliness could wring fromhim.

"Come and see his foot. I am afraid it is badly hurt, for he has kepton three days through heat and dust, with nothing but water and anold jacket to bind it up with. I tell you, Fritz, that boy is a bravelad, and will make a fine man yet."

"I hope so, for your sake, enthusiastic woman, your faith deservessuccess. Now, I will go and see your little Spartan. Where is he?"

"In my room; but, dear, you'll be very kind to him, no matter howgruff he seems. I am sure that is the way to conquer him. He won'tbear sternness nor much restraint, but a soft word and infinitepatience will lead him as it used to lead me."

"As if you ever like this little rascal!" cried Mr. Bhaer, laughing,yet half angry at the idea.

"I was in spirit, though I showed it in a different way. I seem toknow by instinct how he feels, to understand what will win andtouch him, and to sympathize with his temptations and faults. I amglad I do, for it will help me to help him; and if I can make a goodman of this wild boy, it will be the best work of my life."

"God bless the work, and help the worker!"

Mr. Bhaer spoke now as earnestly as she had done, and both camein together to find Dan's head down upon his arm, as if he wasquite overcome by sleep. But he looked up quickly, and tried torise as Mr. Bhaer said pleasantly,

"So you like Plumfield better than Page's farm. Well, let us see ifwe can get on more comfortably this time than we did before."

"Thanky, sir," said Dan, trying not to be gruff, and finding it easierthan he expected.

"Now, the foot! Ach! this is not well. We must have Dr. Firthto-morrow. Warm water, Jo, and old linen."

Mr. Bhaer bathed and bound up the wounded foot, while Mrs. Joprepared the only empty bed in the house. It was in the littleguest-chamber leading from the parlor, and often used when thelads were poorly, for it saved Mrs. Jo from running up and down,and the invalids could see what was going on. When it was ready,Mr. Bhaer took the boy in his arms, and carried him in, helped himundress, laid him on the little white bed, and left him with anotherhand-shake, and a fatherly "Good-night, my son."

Dan dropped asleep at once, and slept heavily for several hours;then his foot began to throb and ache, and he awoke to toss aboutuneasily, trying not to groan lest any one should hear him, for hewas a brave lad, and did bear pain like "a little Spartan," as Mr.Bhaer called him.

Mrs. Jo had a way of flitting about the house at night, to shut thewindows if the wind grew chilly, to draw mosquito curtains overTeddy, or look after Tommy, who occasionally walked in hissleep. The least noise waked her, and as she often heard imaginaryrobbers, cats, and conflagrations, the doors stood open all about, soher quick ear caught the sound of Dan's little moans, and she wasup in a minute. He was just giving his hot pillow a despairingthump when a light came glimmering through the hall, and Mrs. Jocrept in, looking like a droll ghost, with her hair in a great knob onthe top of her head, and a long gray dressing-gown trailing behindher.

"Are you in pain, Dan?"

"It's pretty bad; but I didn't mean to wake you."

"I'm a sort of owl, always flying about at night. Yes, your foot islike fire; the bandages must be wet again," and away flapped thematernal owl for more cooling stuff, and a great mug of ice water.

"Oh, that's so nice!" sighed Dan, the wet bandages went on again,and a long draught of water cooled his thirsty throat.

"There, now, sleep your best, and don't be frightened if you see meagain, for I'll slip down by and by, and give you another sprinkle."

As she spoke, Mrs. Jo stooped to turn the pillow and smooth thebed-clothes, when, to her great surprise, Dan put his arm aroundher neck, drew her face down to his, and kissed her, with a broken"Thank you, ma'am," which said more than the most eloquentspeech could have done; for the hasty kiss, the muttered words,meant, "I'm sorry, I will try." She understood it, accepted theunspoken confession, and did not spoil it by any token of surprise.She only remembered that he had no mother, kissed the browncheek half hidden on the pillow, as if ashamed of the little touch oftenderness, and left him, saying, what he long remembered, "Youare my boy now, and if you choose you can make me proud andglad to say so."

Once again, just at dawn, she stole down to find him so fast asleepthat he did not wake, and showed no sign of consciousness as shewet his foot, except that the lines of pain smoothed themselvesaway, and left his face quite peaceful.

The day was Sunday, and the house so still that he never waked tillnear noon, and, looking round him, saw an eager little face peeringin at the door. He held out his arms, and Teddy tore across theroom to cast himself bodily upon the bed, shouting, "My Danny'stum!" as he hugged and wriggled with delight. Mrs. Bhaerappeared next, bringing breakfast, and never seeming to see howshamefaced Dan looked at the memory of the little scene lastnight. Teddy insisted on giving him his "betfus," and fed him like ababy, which, as he was not very hungry, Dan enjoyed very much.

Then came the doctor, and the poor Spartan had a bad time of it,for some of the little bones in his foot were injured, and puttingthem to rights was such a painful job, that Dan's lips were white,and great drops stood on his forehead, though he never cried out,and only held Mrs. Jo's hand so tight that it was red longafterwards.

"You must keep this boy quiet, for a week at least, and not let himput his foot to the ground. By that time, I shall know whether hemay hop a little with a crutch, or stick to his bed for a whilelonger," said Dr. Firth, putting up the shining instruments that Dandid not like to see.

"It will get well sometime, won't it?" he asked, looking alarmed atthe word "crutches."

"I hope so;" and with that the doctor departed, leaving Dan muchdepressed; for the loss of a foot is a dreadful calamity to an activeboy.

"Don't be troubled, I am a famous nurse, and we will have youtramping about as well as ever in a month," said Mrs. Jo, taking ahopeful view of the case.

But the fear of being lame haunted Dan, and even Teddy's caressesdid not cheer him; so Mrs. Jo proposed that one or two of the boysshould come in and pay him a little visit, and asked whom hewould like to see.

"Nat and Demi; I'd like my hat too, there's something in it I guessthey'd like to see. I suppose you threw away my bundle ofplunder?" said Dan, looking rather anxious as he put the question.

"No, I kept it, for I thought they must be treasures of some kind,you took such care of them;" and Mrs. Jo brought him his oldstraw hat stuck full of butterflies and beetles, and a handkerchiefcontaining a collection of odd things picked up on his way: birds'eggs, carefully done up in moss, curious shells and stones, bits offungus, and several little crabs, in a state of great indignation attheir imprisonment.

"Could I have something to put these fellers in? Mr. Hyde and Ifound 'em, and they are first-rate ones, so I'd like to keep andwatch 'em; can I?" asked Dan, forgetting his foot, and laughing tosee the crabs go sidling and backing over the bed.

"Of course you can; Polly's old cage will be just the thing. Don't letthem nip Teddy's toes while I get it;" and away went Mrs. Jo,leaving Dan overjoyed to find that his treasures were notconsidered rubbish, and thrown away.

Nat, Demi, and the cage arrived together, and the crabs weresettled in their new house, to the great delight of the boys, who, inthe excitement of the performance, forgot any awkwardness theymight otherwise have felt in greeting the runaway. To theseadmiring listeners Dan related his adventures much more fullythan he had done to the Bhaers. Then he displayed his "plunder,"and described each article so well, that Mrs. Jo, who had retired tothe next room to leave them free, was surprised and interested, aswell as amused, at their boyish chatter.

"How much the lad knows of these things! how absorbed he is inthem! and what a mercy it is just now, for he cares so little forbooks, it would be hard to amuse him while he is laid up; but theboys can supply him with beetles and stones to any extent, and Iam glad to find out this taste of his; it is a good one, and mayperhaps prove the making of him. If he should turn out a greatnaturalist, and Nat a musician, I should have cause to be proud ofthis year's work;" and Mrs. Jo sat smiling over her book as shebuilt castles in the air, just as she used to do when a girl, only thenthey were for herself, and now they were for other people, which isthe reason perhaps that some of them came to pass in reality forcharity is an excellent foundation to build anything upon.

Nat was most interested in the adventures, but Demi enjoyed thebeetles and butterflies immensely, drinking in the history of theirchangeful little lives as if it were a new and lovely sort of fairy talefor, even in his plain way, Dan told it well, and found greatsatisfaction in the thought that here at least the small philosophercould learn of him. So interested were they in the account ofcatching a musk rat, whose skin was among the treasures, that Mr.Bhaer had to come himself to tell Nat and Demi it was time for thewalk. Dan looked so wistfully after them as they ran off that FatherBhaer proposed carrying him to the sofa in the parlor for a littlechange of air and scene.

When he was established, and the house quiet, Mrs. Jo, who satnear by showing Teddy pictures, said, in an interested tone, as shenodded towards the treasures still in Dan's hands,

"Where did you learn so much about these things?"

"I always liked 'em, but didn't know much till Mr. Hyde told me."

"Oh, he was a man who lived round in the woods studying thesethings I don't know what you call him and wrote about frogs, andfishes, and so on. He stayed at Page's, and used to want me to goand help him, and it was great fun, 'cause he told me ever so much,and was uncommon jolly and wise. Hope I'll see him againsometime."

"I hope you will," said Mrs. Jo, for Dan's face had brightened up,and he was so interested in the matter that he forgot his usualtaciturnity.

"Why, he could make birds come to him, and rabbits and squirrelsdidn't mind him any more than if he was a tree. Did you ever ticklea lizard with a straw?" asked Dan, eagerly.

"No, but I should like to try it."

"Well, I've done it, and it's so funny to see 'em turn over and stretchout, they like it so much. Mr. Hyde used to do it; and he'd makesnakes listen to him while he whistled, and he knew just whencertain flowers would blow, and bees wouldn't sting him, and he'dtell the wonderfullest things about fish and flies, and the Indiansand the rocks."

"I think you were so fond of going with Mr. Hyde, you ratherneglected Mr. Page," said Mrs. Jo, slyly.

"Yes, I did; I hated to have to weed and hoe when I might betramping round with Mr. Hyde. Page thought such things silly, andcalled Mr. Hyde crazy because he'd lay hours watching a trout or abird."

"Suppose you say lie instead of lay, it is better grammar," said Mrs.Jo, very gently; and then added, "Yes, Page is a thorough farmer,and would not understand that a naturalist's work was just asinteresting, and perhaps just as important as his own. Now, Dan, ifyou really love these things, as I think you do, and I am glad to seeit, you shall have time to study them and books to help you; but Iwant you to do something besides, and to do it faithfully, else youwill be sorry by and by, and find that you have got to begin again."

"Yes, ma'am," said Dan, meekly, and looked a little scared by theserious tone of the last remarks, for he hated books, yet hadevidently made up his mind to study anything she proposed.

"Do you see that cabinet with twelve drawers in it?" was the nextvery unexpected question.

Dan did see two tall old-fashioned ones standing on either side ofthe piano; he knew them well, and had often seen nice bits ofstring, nails, brown paper, and such useful matters come out of thevarious drawers. He nodded and smiled. Mrs. Jo went on,

"Well, don't you think those drawers would be good places to putyour eggs, and stones, and shells, and lichens?"

"Oh, splendid, but you wouldn't like my things 'clutterin' round,' asMr. Page used to say, would you?" cried Dan, sitting up to surveythe old piece of furniture with sparkling eyes.

"I like litter of that sort; and if I didn't, I should give you thedrawers, because I have a regard for children's little treasures, andI think they should be treated respectfully. Now, I am going tomake a bargain with you, Dan, and I hope you will keep ithonorably. Here are twelve good-sized drawers, one for eachmonth of the year, and they shall be yours as fast as you earn them,by doing the little duties that belong to you. I believe in rewards ofa certain kind, especially for young folks; they help us along, andthough we may begin by being good for the sake of the reward, ifit is rightly used, we shall soon learn to love goodness for itself."

"Do you have 'em?" asked Dan, looking as if this was new talk forhim.

"Yes, indeed! I haven't learnt to get on without them yet. Myrewards are not drawers, or presents, or holidays, but they arethings which I like as much as you do the others. The goodbehavior and success of my boys is one of the rewards I love best,and I work for it as I want you to work for your cabinet. Do whatyou dislike, and do it well, and you get two rewards, one, the prizeyou see and hold; the other, the satisfaction of a duty cheerfullyperformed. Do you understand that?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"We all need these little helps; so you shall try to do your lessonsand your work, play kindly with all the boys, and use your holidayswell; and if you bring me a good report, or if I see and know itwithout words for I'm quick to spy out the good little efforts of myboys you shall have a compartment in the drawer for yourtreasures. See, some are already divided into four parts, and I willhave the others made in the same way, a place for each week; andwhen the drawer is filled with curious and pretty things, I shall beas proud of it as you are; prouder, I think for in the pebbles,mosses, and gay butterflies, I shall see good resolutions carriedout, conquered faults, and a promise well kept. Shall we do this,Dan?"

The boys answered with one of the looks which said much, for itshowed that he felt and understood her wish and words, althoughhe did not know how to express his interest and gratitude for suchcare and kindness. She understood the look, and seeing by thecolor that flushed up to his forehead that he was touched, as shewished him to be, she said no more about that side of the newplan, but pulled out the upper drawer, dusted it, and set it on twochairs before the sofa, saying briskly,

"Now, let us begin at once by putting those nice beetles in a safeplace. These compartments will hold a good deal, you see. I'd pinthe butterflies and bugs round the sides; they will be quite safethere, and leave room for the heavy things below. I'll give yousome cotton wool, and clean paper and pins, and you can get readyfor the week's work."

"But I can't go out to find any new things," said Dan, lookingpiteously at his foot.

"That's true; never mind, we'll let these treasures do for this week,and I dare say the boys will bring you loads of things if you askthem."

"They don't know the right sort; besides, if I lay, no, lie here all thetime, I can't work and study, and earn my drawers."

"There are plenty of lessons you can learn lying there, and severallittle jobs of work you can do for me."

"Can I?" and Dan looked both surprised and pleased.

"You can learn to be patient and cheerful in spite of pain and noplay. You can amuse Teddy for me, wind cotton, read to me whenI sew, and do many things without hurting your foot, which willmake the days pass quickly, and not be wasted ones."

Here Demi ran in with a great butterfly in one hand, and a veryugly little toad in the other.

"See, Dan, I found them, and ran back to give them to you; aren'tthey beautiful ones?" panted Demi, all out of breath.

Dan laughed at the toad, and said he had no place to put him, butthe butterfly was a beauty, and if Mrs. Jo would give him a big pin,he would stick it right up in the drawer.

"I don't like to see the poor thing struggle on a pin; if it must bekilled, let us put it out of pain at once with a drop of camphor,"said Mrs. Jo, getting out the bottle.

"I know how to do it Mr. Hyde always killed 'em that way but Ididn't have any camphor, so I use a pin," and Dan gently poured adrop on the insect's head, when the pale green wings fluttered aninstant, and then grew still.

This dainty little execution was hardly over when Teddy shoutedfrom the bedroom, "Oh, the little trabs are out, and the big one'seaten 'em all up." Demi and his aunt ran to the rescue, and foundTeddy dancing excitedly in a chair, while two little crabs werescuttling about the floor, having got through the wires of the cage.A third was clinging to the top of the cage, evidently in terror ofhis life, for below appeared a sad yet funny sight. The big crab hadwedged himself into the little recess where Polly's cup used tostand, and there he sat eating one of his relations in the coolestway. All the claws of the poor victim were pulled off, and he wasturned upside down, his upper shell held in one claw close underthe mouth of the big crab like a dish, while he leisurely ate out ofit with the other claw, pausing now and then to turn his queerbulging eyes from side to side, and to put out a slender tongue andlick them in a way that made the children scream with laughter.Mrs. Jo carried the cage in for Dan to see the sight, while Demicaught and confined the wanderers under an inverted wash-bowl.

"I'll have to let these fellers go, for I can't keep 'em in the house,"said Dan, with evident regret.

"I'll take care of them for you, if you will tell me how, and they canlive in my turtle-tank just as well as not," said Demi, who foundthem more interesting even that his beloved slow turtles. So Dangave him directions about the wants and habits of the crabs, andDemi bore them away to introduce them to their new home andneighbors. "What a good boy he is!" said Dan, carefully settling thefirst butterfly, and remembering that Demi had given up his walkto bring it to him.

"He ought to be, for a great deal has been done to make him so."

"He's had folks to tell him things, and to help him; I haven't," saidDan, with a sigh, thinking of his neglected childhood, a thing heseldom did, and feeling as if he had not had fair play somehow.

"I know it, dear, and for that reason I don't expect as much fromyou as from Demi, though he is younger; you shall have all thehelp that we can give you now, and I hope to teach you how tohelp yourself in the best way. Have you forgotten what FatherBhaer told you when you were here before, about wanting to begood, and asking God to help you?"

"No, ma'am," very low.

"Do you try that way still?"

"No, ma'am," lower still.

"Will you do it every night to please me?"

"Yes, ma'am," very soberly.

"I shall depend on it, and I think I shall know if you are faithful toyour promise, for these things always show to people who believein them, though not a word is said. Now here is a pleasant storyabout a boy who hurt his foot worse than you did yours; read it,and see how bravely he bore his troubles."

She put that charming little book, "The Crofton Boys," into hishands, and left him for an hour, passing in and out from time totime that he might not feel lonely. Dan did not love to read, butsoon got so interested that he was surprised when the boys camehome. Daisy brought him a nosegay of wild flowers, and Naninsisted on helping bring him his supper, as he lay on the sofa withthe door open into the dining-room, so that he could see the lads attable, and they could nod socially to him over their bread andbutter.

Mr. Bhaer carried him away to his bed early, and Teddy came inhis night-gown to say good-night, for he went to his little nest withthe birds.

"I want to say my prayers to Danny; may I?" he asked; and whenhis mother said, "Yes," the little fellow knelt down by Dan's bed,and folding his chubby hands, said softly,

"Pease Dod bess everybody, and hep me to be dood."

Then he went away smiling with sleepy sweetness over hismother's shoulder.

But after the evening talk was done, the evening song sung, andthe house grew still with beautiful Sunday silence, Dan lay in hispleasant room wide awake, thinking new thoughts, feeling newhopes and desires stirring in his boyish heart, for two good angelshad entered in: love and gratitude began the work which time andeffort were to finish; and with an earnest wish to keep his firstpromise, Dan folded his hands together in the Darkness, and softlywhispered Teddy's little prayer,

"Please God bless every one, and help me to be good."