`` How could you ? '' said Demi , appalled at the idea . `` I was hopping mad at the time , and thought I should n't mind a bit , rather like it perhaps . But when I 'd hit uncle one good crack , everything he had ever done for me came into my head all at once somehow , and I could n't go on . No sir ! If he 'd laid me down and walked on me , I would n't have minded , I felt so mean , '' and Emil gave himself a good thump in the chest to express his sense of remorse for the past . `` Nat 's crying like anything , and feels no end sorry , so do n't let 's say a word about it ; will we ? '' said tender-hearted Tommy . `` Of course we wo n't , but it 's awful to tell lies , '' and Demi looked as if he found the awfulness much increased when the punishment fell not upon the sinner , but his best Uncle Fritz . `` Suppose we all clear out , so Nat can cut upstairs if he wants to , '' proposed Franz , and led the way to the barn , their refuge in troublous times . Nat did not come to dinner , but Mrs. Jo took some up to him , and said a tender word , which did him good , though he could not look at her . By and by the lads playing outside heard the violin , and said among themselves : `` He 's all right now . '' He was all right , but felt shy about going down , till opening his door to slip away into the woods , he found Daisy sitting on the stairs with neither work nor doll , only her little handkerchief in her hand , as if she had been mourning for her captive friend . `` I 'm going to walk ; want to come ? '' asked Nat , trying to look as if nothing was the matter , yet feeling very grateful for her silent sympathy , because he fancied everyone must look upon him as a wretch . `` Oh yes ! '' and Daisy ran for her hat , proud to be chosen as a companion by one of the big boys . The others saw them go , but no one followed , for boys have a great deal more delicacy than they get credit for , and the lads instinctively felt that , when in disgrace , gentle little Daisy was their most congenial friend . The walk did Nat good , and he came home quieter than usual , but looking cheerful again , and hung all over with daisy-chains made by his little playmate while he lay on the grass and told her stories . No one said a word about the scene of the morning , but its effect was all the more lasting for that reason , perhaps .
XXXXX tried his very best , and found much help , not only from the earnest little prayers he prayed to his Friend in heaven , but also in the patient care of the earthly friend whose kind hand he never touched without remembering that it had willingly borne pain for his sake .
Daisy Demi Emil Franz Fritz Jo Nat daisy-chains morning right