and Dan held out his big , rough hand . Demi gave his smooth , little hand readily , and the league was made ; for in the happy , peaceful world where the younger boy lived , lions and lambs played together , and little children innocently taught their elders . `` Hush ! '' said Dan , pointing toward the house , as Demi was about to indulge in another discourse on the best way of getting badness down , and keeping it down ; and peeping from their perch , they saw Mrs. Jo strolling slowly along , reading as she went , while Teddy trotted behind her , dragging a little cart upside down . `` Wait till they see us , '' whispered Demi , and both sat still as the pair came nearer , Mrs. Jo so absorbed in her book that she would have walked into the brook if Teddy had not stopped her by saying , `` Marmar , I wanter fis . '' Mrs. Jo put down the charming book which she had been trying to read for a week , and looked about her for a fishing-pole , being used to making toys out of nothing . Before she had broken one from the hedge , a slender willow bough fell at her feet ; and , looking up , she saw the boys laughing in the nest . `` Up ! up ! '' cried Teddy , stretching his arms and flapping his skirts as if about to fly . `` I 'll come down and you come up . I must go to Daisy now ; '' and Demi departed to rehearse the tale of the nineteen cats , with the exciting boot-and-barrel episodes . Teddy was speedily whisked up ; and then Dan said , laughing , `` Come , too ; there 's plenty of room . I 'll lend you a hand . '' Mrs. Jo glanced over her shoulder , but no one was in sight ; and rather liking the joke of the thing , she laughed back , saying , `` Well , if you wo n't mention it , I think I will ; '' and with two nimble steps was in the willow . `` I have n't climbed a tree since I was married . I used to be very fond of it when I was a girl , '' she said , looking well-pleased with her shady perch . `` Now , you read if you want to , and I 'll take care of Teddy , '' proposed Dan , beginning to make a fishing-rod for impatient Baby . `` I do n't think I care about it now . What were you and Demi at up here ? ''
asked Mrs. XXXXX , thinking , from the sober look on Dan 's face , that he had something on his mind .
Daisy Dan Demi Jo Marmar Teddy boot-and-barrel fis fishing-rod week