CHAPTER VI . A FIRE BRAND `` Please , ma'am , could I speak to you ? It is something very important , '' said Nat , popping his head in at the door of Mrs. Bhaer 's room . It was the fifth head which had popped in during the last half-hour ; but Mrs. Jo was used to it , so she looked up , and said , briskly , `` What is it , my lad ? '' Nat came in , shut the door carefully behind him , and said in an eager , anxious tone , `` Dan has come . '' `` Who is Dan ? '' `` He 's a boy I used to know when I fiddled round the streets . He sold papers , and he was kind to me , and I saw him the other day in town , and told him how nice it was here , and he 's come . '' `` But , my dear boy , that is rather a sudden way to pay a visit . '' `` Oh , it is n't a visit ; he wants to stay if you will let him ! '' said Nat innocently . `` Well , I do n't know about that , '' began Mrs. Bhaer , rather startled by the coolness of the proposition . `` Why , I thought you liked to have poor boys come and live with you , and be kind to 'em as you were to me , '' said Nat , looking surprised and alarmed . `` So I do , but I like to know something about them first . I have to choose them , because there are so many . I have not room for all . I wish I had . '' `` I told him to come because I thought you 'd like it , but if there is n't room he can go away again , '' said Nat , sorrowfully . The boy 's confidence in her hospitality touched Mrs. Bhaer , and she could not find the heart to disappoint his hope , and spoil his kind little plan , so she said , `` Tell me about this Dan . '' `` I do n't know any thing , only he has n't got any folks , and he 's poor , and he was good to me , so I 'd like to be good to him if I could . ''
`` Excellent reasons every one ; but really , Nat , the house is full , and I do n't know where I could put him , '' said Mrs. XXXXX , more and more inclined to prove herself the haven of refuge he seemed to think her .
Bhaer CHAPTER Dan Jo Nat VI confidence fifth first something