Ned good-naturedly recommended a mustard plaster and a hot flat iron to the feet ; only in applying these remedies he reversed the order of things , and put the plaster on the feet , the flat iron on the stomach , and poor Stuffy was found in the barn with blistered soles and a scorched jacket . `` Suppose you tell another story , that was such an interesting one , '' said Nat , as the laughter subsided . Before Mrs. Jo could refuse these insatiable Oliver Twists , Rob walked into the room trailing his little bed-cover after him , and wearing an expression of great sweetness as he said , steering straight to his mother as a sure haven of refuge , `` I heard a great noise , and I thought sumfin dreffle might have happened , so I came to see . '' `` Did you think I would forget you , naughty boy ? '' asked his mother , trying to look stern . `` No ; but I thought you 'd feel better to see me right here , '' responded the insinuating little party . `` I had much rather see you in bed , so march straight up again , Robin . '' `` Everybody that comes in here has to tell a story , and you ca n't so you 'd better cut and run , '' said Emil . `` Yes , I can ! I tell Teddy lots of ones , all about bears and moons , and little flies that say things when they buzz , '' protested Rob , bound to stay at any price . `` Tell one now , then , right away , '' said Dan , preparing to shoulder and bear him off . `` Well , I will ; let me fink a minute , '' and Rob climbed into his mother 's lap , where he was cuddled , with the remark `` It is a family failing , this getting out of bed at wrong times . Demi used to do it ; and as for me , I was hopping in and out all night long . Meg used to think the house was on fire , and send me down to see , and I used to stay and enjoy myself , as you mean to , my bad son . '' `` I 've finked now , '' observed Rob , quite at his ease , and eager to win the entree into this delightful circle . Every one looked and listened with faces full of suppressed merriment as Rob , perched on his mother 's knee and wrapped in the gay coverlet , told the following brief but tragic tale with an earnestness that made it very funny : `` Once a lady had a million children , and one nice little boy . She went up-stairs and said , ` You must n't go in the yard . ' But he wented , and fell into the pump , and was drowned dead . '' `` Is that all ? '' asked Franz , as Rob paused out of breath with this startling beginning .
`` No , there is another piece of it , '' and XXXXX knit his downy eyebrows in the effort to evolve another inspiration .
Dan Demi Emil Franz Jo Rob Stuffy bed-cover right up-stairs