`` No ; I think you should ask pardon of all three boys , openly and honestly . You can not expect them to respect and trust you for a time , but you can live down this disgrace if you try , and I will help you . Stealing and lying are detestable sins , and I hope this will be a lesson to you . I am glad you are ashamed , it is a good sign ; bear it patiently , and do your best to earn a better reputation . '' `` I 'll have an auction , and sell off all my goods dirt cheap , '' said Jack , showing his repentance in the most characteristic way . `` I think it would be better to give them away , and begin on a new foundation . Take ` Honesty is the best policy ' for your motto , and live up to it in act , and word , and thought , and though you do n't make a cent of money this summer , you will be a rich boy in the autumn , '' said Mr. Bhaer , earnestly . It was hard , but Jack consented , for he really felt that cheating did n't pay , and wanted to win back the friendship of the boys . His heart clung to his possessions , and he groaned inwardly at the thought of actually giving away certain precious things . Asking pardon publicly was easy compared to this ; but then he began to discover that certain other things , invisible , but most valuable , were better property than knives , fish-hooks , or even money itself . So he decided to buy up a little integrity , even at a high price , and secure the respect of his playmates , though it was not a salable article . `` Well , I 'll do it , '' he said , with a sudden air of resolution , which pleased Mr. Bhaer . `` Good ! and I 'll stand by you . Now come and begin at once . '' And Father Bhaer led the bankrupt boy back into the little world , which received him coldly at first , but slowly warmed to him , when he showed that he had profited by the lesson , and was sincerely anxious to go into a better business with a new stock-in-trade . CHAPTER XVI . TAMING THE COLT `` What in the world is that boy doing ? '' said Mrs. Jo to herself , as she watched Dan running round the half-mile triangle as if for a wager . He was all alone , and seemed possessed by some strange desire to run himself into a fever , or break his neck ; for , after several rounds , he tried leaping walls , and turning somersaults up the avenue , and finally dropped down on the grass before the door as if exhausted .
`` Are you training for a race , XXXXX ? ''
Bhaer Dan Jack Jo XVI first fish-hooks somersaults stock-in-trade world