The color came up into Dan 's face , and he kept his eyes fixed on his plate , as he said very low , `` No , ma'am , I 'm glad , I wanted to stay , but I was afraid you -- '' He did not finish , for Mrs. Bhaer interrupted him by an exclamation of pity , as she saw his foot , for it was seriously hurt . `` When did you do it ? '' `` Three days ago . '' `` And you have walked on it in this state ? '' `` I had a stick , and I washed it at every brook I came to , and one woman gave me a rag to put on it . '' `` Mr. Bhaer must see and dress it at once , '' and Mrs. Jo hastened into the next room , leaving the door ajar behind her , so that Dan heard all that passed . `` Fritz , the boy has come back . '' `` Who ? Dan ? '' `` Yes , Teddy saw him at the window , and he called to him , but he went away and hid behind the hay-cocks on the lawn . I found him there just now fast asleep , and half dead with weariness and pain . He ran away from Page a month ago , and has been making his way to us ever since . He pretends that he did not mean to let us see him , but go on to the city , and his old work , after a look at us . It is evident , however , that the hope of being taken in has led him here through every thing , and there he is waiting to know if you will forgive and take him back . '' `` Did he say so ? '' `` His eyes did , and when I waked him , he said , like a lost child , ` Mother Bhaer , I 've come home . ' I had n't the heart to scold him , and just took him in like a poor little black sheep come back to the fold . I may keep him , Fritz ? '' `` Of course you may ! This proves to me that we have a hold on the boy 's heart , and I would no more send him away now than I would my own Rob . ''
XXXXX heard a soft little sound , as if Mrs. Jo thanked her husband without words , and , in the instant 's silence that followed , two great tears that had slowly gathered in the boy 's eyes brimmed over and rolled down his dusty cheeks .
Bhaer Dan Fritz Jo Rob Teddy hay-cocks heart month rag