`` What a good boy he is ! '' said Dan , carefully settling the first butterfly , and remembering that Demi had given up his walk to bring it to him . `` He ought to be , for a great deal has been done to make him so . '' `` He 's had folks to tell him things , and to help him ; I have n't , '' said Dan , with a sigh , thinking of his neglected childhood , a thing he seldom did , and feeling as if he had not had fair play somehow . `` I know it , dear , and for that reason I do n't expect as much from you as from Demi , though he is younger ; you shall have all the help that we can give you now , and I hope to teach you how to help yourself in the best way . Have you forgotten what Father Bhaer told you when you were here before , about wanting to be good , and asking God to help you ? '' `` No , ma'am , '' very low . `` Do you try that way still ? '' `` No , ma'am , '' lower still . `` Will you do it every night to please me ? '' `` Yes , ma'am , '' very soberly . `` I shall depend on it , and I think I shall know if you are faithful to your promise , for these things always show to people who believe in them , though not a word is said . Now here is a pleasant story about a boy who hurt his foot worse than you did yours ; read it , and see how bravely he bore his troubles . '' She put that charming little book , `` The Crofton Boys , '' into his hands , and left him for an hour , passing in and out from time to time that he might not feel lonely . Dan did not love to read , but soon got so interested that he was surprised when the boys came home . Daisy brought him a nosegay of wild flowers , and Nan insisted on helping bring him his supper , as he lay on the sofa with the door open into the dining-room , so that he could see the lads at table , and they could nod socially to him over their bread and butter . Mr. Bhaer carried him away to his bed early , and Teddy came in his night-gown to say good-night , for he went to his little nest with the birds . `` I want to say my prayers to Danny ; may I ? '' he asked ; and when his mother said , `` Yes , '' the little fellow knelt down by Dan 's bed , and folding his chubby hands , said softly , `` Pease Dod bess everybody , and hep me to be dood . '' Then he went away smiling with sleepy sweetness over his mother 's shoulder .
But after the evening talk was done , the evening song sung , and the house grew still with beautiful Sunday silence , Dan lay in his pleasant room wide awake , thinking new thoughts , feeling new hopes and desires stirring in his boyish heart , for two good angels had entered in : love and gratitude began the work which time and effort were to finish ; and with an earnest wish to keep his XXXXX promise , Dan folded his hands together in the Darkness , and softly whispered Teddy 's little prayer , `` Please God bless every one , and help me to be good . ''
Crofton Daisy Dan Demi first hep hour left night nosegay