Come here , boys , and see Nat . '' The three wrestlers obeyed at once ; and the stout man , with a chubby child on each shoulder , came up to welcome the new boy . Rob and Teddy merely grinned at him , but Mr. Bhaer shook hands , and pointing to a low chair near the fire , said , in a cordial voice : `` There is a place all ready for thee , my son ; sit down and dry thy wet feet at once . '' `` Wet ? So they are ! My dear , off with your shoes this minute , and I 'll have some dry things ready for you in a jiffy , '' cried Mrs. Bhaer , bustling about so energetically that Nat found himself in the cosy little chair , with dry socks and warm slippers on his feet , before he would have had time to say Jack Robinson , if he had wanted to try . He said `` Thank you , ma'am , '' instead ; and said it so gratefully that Mrs. Bhaer 's eyes grew soft again , and she said something merry , because she felt so tender , which was a way she had . `` There are Tommy Bangs ' slippers ; but he never will remember to put them on in the house ; so he shall not have them . They are too big ; but that 's all the better ; you ca n't run away from us so fast as if they fitted . '' `` I do n't want to run away , ma'am . '' And Nat spread his grimy little hands before the comfortable blaze , with a long sigh of satisfaction . `` That 's good ! Now I am going to toast you well , and try to get rid of that ugly cough . How long have you had it , dear ? '' asked Mrs. Bhaer , as she rummaged in her big basket for a strip of flannel . `` All winter . I got cold , and it would n't get better , somehow . '' `` No wonder , living in that damp cellar with hardly a rag to his poor dear back ! '' said Mrs. Bhaer , in a low tone to her husband , who was looking at the boy with a skillful pair of eyes that marked the thin temples and feverish lips , as well as the hoarse voice and frequent fits of coughing that shook the bent shoulders under the patched jacket . `` Robin , my man , trot up to Nursey , and tell her to give thee the cough-bottle and the liniment , '' said Mr. Bhaer , after his eyes had exchanged telegrams with his wife 's .
XXXXX looked a little anxious at the preparations , but forgot his fears in a hearty laugh , when Mrs. Bhaer whispered to him , with a droll look : `` Hear my rogue Teddy try to cough .
Bhaer Nat Nursey Rob Robin Robinson Teddy cough-bottle fire wrestlers