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 , Dan ? '' asked Mrs. Jo , from the window where she sat . He looked up quickly , and stopped panting to answer , with a laugh , `` No ; I 'm only working off my steam . '' `` Ca n't you find a cooler way of doing it ? You will be ill if you tear about so in such warm weather , '' said Mrs. Jo , laughing also , as she threw him out a great palm-leaf fan . `` Ca n't help it . I must run somewhere , '' answered Dan , with such an odd expression in his restless eyes , that Mrs. Jo was troubled , and asked , quickly , `` Is Plumfield getting too narrow for you ? '' `` I would n't mind if it was a little bigger . I like it though ; only the fact is the devil gets into me sometimes , and then I do want to bolt . '' The words seemed to come against his will , for he looked sorry the minute they were spoken , and seemed to think he deserved a reproof for his ingratitude .
But Mrs. XXXXX understood the feeling , and though sorry to see it , she could not blame the boy for confessing it .
Bhaer COLT Dan Jo XVI article first lesson respect stock-in-trade