`` That 's what I want ; stand from under , '' answered Dan , coolly ; and , as he spoke , his added weight bent the tree many feet nearer the earth . Jack dropped safely ; but the birch , lightened of half its load , flew up again so suddenly , that Dan , in the act of swinging round to drop feet foremost , lost his hold and fell heavily . `` I 'm not hurt , all right in a minute , '' he said , sitting up , a little pale and dizzy , as the boys gathered round him , full of admiration and alarm . `` You 're a trump , Dan , and I 'm ever so much obliged to you , '' cried Jack , gratefully . `` It was n't any thing , '' muttered Dan , rising slowly . `` I say it was , and I 'll shake hands with you , though you are , '' Ned checked the unlucky word on his tongue , and held out his hand , feeling that it was a handsome thing on his part . `` But I wo n't shake hands with a sneak ; '' and Dan turned his back with a look of scorn , that caused Ned to remember the brook , and retire with undignified haste . `` Come home , old chap ; I 'll give you a lift ; '' and Nat walked away with him leaving the others to talk over the feat together , to wonder when Dan would `` come round , '' and to wish one and all that Tommy 's `` confounded money had been in Jericho before it made such a fuss . '' When Mr. Bhaer came into school next morning , he looked so happy , that the boys wondered what had happened to him , and really thought he had lost his mind when they saw him go straight to Dan , and , taking him by both hands , say all in one breath , as he shook them heartily , `` I know all about it , and I beg your pardon . It was like you to do it , and I love you for it , though it 's never right to tell lies , even for a friend . '' `` What is it ? '' cried Nat , for Dan said not a word , only lifted up his head , as if a weight of some sort had fallen off his back . `` Dan did not take Tommy 's money ; '' and Mr. Bhaer quite shouted it , he was so glad . `` Who did ? '' cried the boys in a chorus . Mr. Bhaer pointed to one empty seat , and every eye followed his finger , yet no one spoke for a minute , they were so surprised . `` Jack went home early this morning , but he left this behind him ; '' and in the silence Mr. Bhaer read the note which he had found tied to his door-handle when he rose . `` I took Tommy 's dollar . I was peeking in through a crack and saw him put it there . I was afraid to tell before , though I wanted to .
I did n't care so much about Nat , but XXXXX is a trump , and I ca n't stand it any longer .
Dan Jack Jericho Nat Tommy door-handle left minute morning right