When he was established , and the house quiet , Mrs. Jo , who sat near by showing Teddy pictures , said , in an interested tone , as she nodded towards the treasures still in Dan 's hands , `` Where did you learn so much about these things ? '' `` I always liked 'em , but did n't know much till Mr. Hyde told me . '' `` Oh , he was a man who lived round in the woods studying these things I do n't know what you call him and wrote about frogs , and fishes , and so on . He stayed at Page 's , and used to want me to go and help him , and it was great fun , 'cause he told me ever so much , and was uncommon jolly and wise . Hope I 'll see him again sometime . '' `` I hope you will , '' said Mrs. Jo , for Dan 's face had brightened up , and he was so interested in the matter that he forgot his usual taciturnity . `` Why , he could make birds come to him , and rabbits and squirrels did n't mind him any more than if he was a tree . Did you ever tickle a lizard with a straw ? '' asked Dan , eagerly . `` No , but I should like to try it . '' `` Well , I 've done it , and it 's so funny to see 'em turn over and stretch out , they like it so much . Mr. Hyde used to do it ; and he 'd make snakes listen to him while he whistled , and he knew just when certain flowers would blow , and bees would n't sting him , and he 'd tell the wonderfullest things about fish and flies , and the Indians and the rocks . '' `` I think you were so fond of going with Mr. Hyde , you rather neglected Mr. Page , '' said Mrs. Jo , slyly . `` Yes , I did ; I hated to have to weed and hoe when I might be tramping round with Mr. Hyde . Page thought such things silly , and called Mr. Hyde crazy because he 'd lay hours watching a trout or a bird . '' `` Suppose you say lie instead of lay , it is better grammar , '' said Mrs. Jo , very gently ; and then added , `` Yes , Page is a thorough farmer , and would not understand that a naturalist 's work was just as interesting , and perhaps just as important as his own . Now , Dan , if you really love these things , as I think you do , and I am glad to see it , you shall have time to study them and books to help you ; but I want you to do something besides , and to do it faithfully , else you will be sorry by and by , and find that you have got to begin again . '' `` Yes , ma'am , '' said Dan , meekly , and looked a little scared by the serious tone of the last remarks , for he hated books , yet had evidently made up his mind to study anything she proposed . `` Do you see that cabinet with twelve drawers in it ? '' was the next very unexpected question .
XXXXX did see two tall old-fashioned ones standing on either side of the piano ; he knew them well , and had often seen nice bits of string , nails , brown paper , and such useful matters come out of the various drawers .
Dan Hyde Indians Jo Page hoe hours lizard squirrels taciturnity