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. Jo , thinking , from the sober look on Dan 's face , that he had something on his mind . `` Oh ! we were talking . I 'd been telling him about leaves and things , and he was telling me some of his queer plays . Now , then , Major , fish away ; '' and Dan finished off his work by putting a big blue fly on the bent pin which hung at the end of the cord he had tied to the willow-rod . Teddy leaned down from the tree , and was soon wrapt up in watching for the fish which he felt sure would come . Dan held him by his little petticoats , lest he should take a `` header '' into the brook , and Mrs. Jo soon won him to talk by doing so herself . `` I am so glad you told Demi about ` leaves and things ; ' it is just what he needs ; and I wish you would teach him , and take him to walk with you . '' `` I 'd like to , he is so bright ; but -- '' `` But what ? '' `` I did n't think you 'd trust me . '' `` Why not ? '' `` Well , Demi is so kind of precious , and so good , and I 'm such a bad lot , I thought you 'd keep him away from me . '' `` But you are not a ` bad lot , ' as you say ; and I do trust you , Dan , entirely , because you honestly try to improve , and do better and better every week . '' `` Really ? ''
and XXXXX looked up at her with the cloud of despondency lifting from his face .
Dan Demi Jo fishing-rod header mind perch petticoats week willow-rod