They came sooner than he expected , and in a way that surprised and grieved him very much . As they sat at supper that night , a square parcel was handed to Mrs. Bhaer from Mrs. Bates , a neighbor . A note accompanied the parcel , and , while Mr. Bhaer read it , Demi pulled off the wrapper , exclaiming , as he saw its contents , `` Why , it 's the book Uncle Teddy gave Dan ! '' `` The devil ! '' broke from Dan , for he had not yet quite cured himself of swearing , though he tried very hard . Mr. Bhaer looked up quickly at the sound . Dan tried to meet his eyes , but could not ; his own fell , and he sat biting his lips , getting redder and redder till he was the picture of shame . `` What is it ? '' asked Mrs. Bhaer , anxiously . `` I should have preferred to talk about this in private , but Demi has spoilt that plan , so I may as well have it out now , '' said Mr. Bhaer , looking a little stern , as he always did when any meanness or deceit came up for judgment . `` The note is from Mrs. Bates , and she says that her boy Jimmy told her he bought this book of Dan last Saturday . She saw that it was worth much more than a dollar , and thinking there was some mistake , has sent it to me . Did you sell it , Dan ? '' `` Yes , sir , '' was the slow answer . `` Why ? '' `` Wanted money . '' `` For what ? '' `` To pay somebody . '' `` To whom did you owe it ? '' `` Tommy . ''
`` Never borrowed a cent of me in his life , '' cried Tommy , looked scared , for he guessed what was coming now , and felt that on the whole he would have preferred witchcraft , for he admired XXXXX immensely .
Bates Bhaer Dan Demi Jimmy Tommy devil meanness night swearing