`` Ca n't , I 'm too bashful . You give them a lecture yourself you are used to it , '' Mr. Laurie answered , retreating towards the window , meaning to escape . But she held him fast , and said , laughing as she looked at the dozen pairs of dirty hands about her , `` If I did lecture , it would on the chemical and cleansing properties of soap . Come now , as the founder of the institution , you really ought to give us a few moral remarks , and we will applaud tremendously . '' Seeing that there was no way of escaping , Mr. Laurie looked up at Polly hanging overhead , seemed to find inspiration in the brilliant old bird , and sitting down upon the table , said , in his pleasant way , `` There is one thing I 'd like to suggest , boys , and that is , I want you to get some good as well as much pleasure out of this . Just putting curious or pretty things here wo n't do it ; so suppose you read up about them , so that when anybody asks questions you can answer them , and understand the matter . I used to like these things myself , and should enjoy hearing about them now , for I 've forgotten all I once knew . It was n't much , was it , Jo ? Here 's Dan now , full of stories about birds , and bugs , and so on ; let him take care of the museum , and once a week the rest of you take turns to read a composition , or tell about some animal , mineral , or vegetable . We should all like that , and I think it would put considerable useful knowledge into our heads . What do you say , Professor ? '' `` I like it much , and will give the lads all the help I can . But they will need books to read up these new subjects , and we have not many , I fear , '' began Mr. Bhaer , looking much pleased , planning many fine lectures on geology , which he liked . `` We should have a library for the special purpose . '' `` Is that a useful sort of book , Dan ? '' asked Mr. Laurie , pointing to the volume that lay open by the cabinet . `` Oh , yes ! it tells all I want to know about insects . I had it here to see how to fix the butterflies right . I covered it , so it is not hurt ; '' and Dan caught it up , fearing the lender might think him careless .
`` Give it here a minute ; '' and , pulling out his pencil , Mr. Laurie wrote XXXXX 's name in it , saying , as he set the book up on one of the corner shelves , where nothing stood but a stuffed bird without a tail , `` There , that is the beginning of the museum library .
Bhaer Dan Jo Laurie Polly Professor escape lender right week