The cases are changed to-morrow ; and it gets up a glow after the boys ' baths ; so I rather like it myself , '' said Mrs. Bhaer , busy again among her dozen pairs of socks . `` What a very nice school this is ! '' observed Nat , in a burst of admiration . `` It 's an odd one , '' laughed Mrs. Bhaer , `` but you see we do n't believe in making children miserable by too many rules , and too much study . I forbade night-gown parties at first ; but , bless you , it was of no use . I could no more keep those boys in their beds than so many jacks in the box . So I made an agreement with them : I was to allow a fifteen-minute pillow-fight every Saturday night ; and they promised to go properly to bed every other night . I tried it , and it worked well . If they do n't keep their word , no frolic ; if they do , I just turn the glasses round , put the lamps in safe places , and let them rampage as much as they like . '' `` It 's a beautiful plan , '' said Nat , feeling that he should like to join in the fray , but not venturing to propose it the first night . So he lay enjoying the spectacle , which certainly was a lively one . Tommy Bangs led the assailing party , and Demi defended his own room with a dogged courage fine to see , collecting pillows behind him as fast as they were thrown , till the besiegers were out of ammunition , when they would charge upon him in a body , and recover their arms . A few slight accidents occurred , but nobody minded , and gave and took sounding thwacks with perfect good humor , while pillows flew like big snowflakes , till Mrs. Bhaer looked at her watch , and called out : `` Time is up , boys . Into bed , every man jack , or pay the forfeit ! '' `` What is the forfeit ? '' asked Nat , sitting up in his eagerness to know what happened to those wretches who disobeyed this most peculiar , but public-spirited school-ma ` am . `` Lose their fun next time , '' answered Mrs. Bhaer . `` I give them five minutes to settle down , then put out the lights , and expect order . They are honorable lads , and they keep their word . '' That was evident , for the battle ended as abruptly as it began a parting shot or two , a final cheer , as Demi fired the seventh pillow at the retiring foe , a few challenges for next time , then order prevailed .
And nothing but an occasional giggle or a suppressed whisper broke the quiet which followed the Saturday-night frolic , as Mother XXXXX kissed her new boy and left him to happy dreams of life at Plumfield .
Bangs Bhaer Nat Time jacks minutes night school-ma seventh thwacks