I can nurse . Ca n't I , Rob ? ' cried Teddy , in his most wheedlesome tones . ` Pretty well . But if mother ca n't spare you , I 'm ready if uncle needs anyone , ' answered Rob , in his quiet way , looking much fitter for the trip than excitable Ted . ' I ca n't spare either of you . My boys get into trouble , unless I keep them close at home . I 've no right to hold the others ; but I wo n't let you out of my sight , or something will happen . Never saw such a year , with wrecks and weddings and floods and engagements , and every sort of catastrophe ! ' exclaimed Mrs Jo . ` If you deal in girls and boys , you must expect this sort of thing , ma'am . The worst is over , I hope , till these lads begin to go off . Then I 'll stand by you ; for you 'll need every kind of support and comfort , specially if Ted bolts early , ' laughed Mr Laurie , enjoying her lamentations . ' I do n't think anything can surprise me now ; but I am anxious about Dan , and feel that someone had better go to him . It 's a rough place out there , and he may need careful nursing . Poor lad , he seems to get a good many hard knocks ! But perhaps he needs them as `` a mellerin ' process '' , as Hannah used to say . ' ` We shall hear from Demi before long , and then I 'll be off . ' With which cheerful promise Mr Laurie departed ; and Ted , finding his mother firm , soon followed , to coax his uncle to take him . Further inquiry confirmed and added interest to the news .
Mr Laurie was off at once ; and Ted went into town with him , still vainly imploring to be taken to his XXXXX .
Ca Dan Demi Hannah Jo Rob floods mellerin right year