A holiday is n't a holiday without plenty of freedom and fun ; and they shall have full swing once a week , '' Mrs. Bhaer used to say , when prim people wondered why banister-sliding , pillow-fights , and all manner of jovial games were allowed under the once decorous roof of Plumfield . It did seem at times as if the aforesaid roof was in danger of flying off , but it never did , for a word from Father Bhaer could at any time produce a lull , and the lads had learned that liberty must not be abused . So , in spite of many dark predictions , the school flourished , and manners and morals were insinuated , without the pupils exactly knowing how it was done . Nat found himself very well off behind the tall pitchers , with Tommy Bangs just around the corner , and Mrs. Bhaer close by to fill up plate and mug as fast as he could empty them . `` Who is that boy next the girl down at the other end ? '' whispered Nat to his young neighbor under cover of a general laugh . `` That 's Demi Brooke . Mr. Bhaer is his uncle . '' `` What a queer name ! '' `` His real name is John , but they call him Demi-John , because his father is John too . That 's a joke , do n't you see ? '' said Tommy , kindly explaining . Nat did not see , but politely smiled , and asked , with interest : `` Is n't he a very nice boy ? '' `` I bet you he is ; knows lots and reads like any thing . '' `` Who is the fat one next him ? '' `` Oh , that 's Stuffy Cole . His name is George , but we call him Stuffy 'cause he eats so much . The little fellow next Father Bhaer is his boy Rob , and then there 's big Franz his nephew ; he teaches some , and kind of sees to us . '' `` He plays the flute , does n't he ? '' asked Nat as Tommy rendered himself speechless by putting a whole baked apple into his mouth at one blow .
XXXXX nodded , and said , sooner than one would have imagined possible under the circumstances , `` Oh , do n't he , though ?
'cause Bhaer Brooke Demi-John George Nat Rob Tommy banister-sliding pillow-fights