Then he displayed his `` plunder , '' and described each article so well , that Mrs. Jo , who had retired to the next room to leave them free , was surprised and interested , as well as amused , at their boyish chatter . `` How much the lad knows of these things ! how absorbed he is in them ! and what a mercy it is just now , for he cares so little for books , it would be hard to amuse him while he is laid up ; but the boys can supply him with beetles and stones to any extent , and I am glad to find out this taste of his ; it is a good one , and may perhaps prove the making of him . If he should turn out a great naturalist , and Nat a musician , I should have cause to be proud of this year 's work ; '' and Mrs. Jo sat smiling over her book as she built castles in the air , just as she used to do when a girl , only then they were for herself , and now they were for other people , which is the reason perhaps that some of them came to pass in reality for charity is an excellent foundation to build anything upon . Nat was most interested in the adventures , but Demi enjoyed the beetles and butterflies immensely , drinking in the history of their changeful little lives as if it were a new and lovely sort of fairy tale for , even in his plain way , Dan told it well , and found great satisfaction in the thought that here at least the small philosopher could learn of him . So interested were they in the account of catching 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 the walk . Dan looked so wistfully after them as they ran off that Father Bhaer proposed carrying him to the sofa in the parlor for a little change of air and scene . When he was established , and the house quiet , Mrs. Jo , who sat near by showing Teddy pictures , said , in an interested tone , as she nodded towards the treasures still in Dan 's hands , `` Where did you learn so much about these things ? '' `` I always liked 'em , but did n't know much till Mr. Hyde told me . '' `` Oh , he was a man who lived round in the woods studying these things I do n't know what you call him and wrote about frogs , and fishes , and so on . He stayed at Page 's , and used to want me to go and 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 again sometime . '' `` 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 usual taciturnity . `` Why , he could make birds come to him , and rabbits and squirrels did n't mind him any more than if he was a tree . Did you ever tickle a 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 stretch out , they like it so much . Mr. Hyde used to do it ; and he 'd make snakes listen to him while he whistled , and he knew just when certain flowers would blow , and bees would n't sting him , and he 'd tell the wonderfullest things about fish and flies , and the Indians and the rocks . ''
`` I think you were so fond of going with Mr. Hyde , you rather neglected Mr. Page , '' said Mrs. XXXXX , slyly .
Bhaer Dan Demi Hyde Indians Jo Nat lizard squirrels taciturnity