`` Ball hurt his hand ; he howls at every thing , '' answered Jack scornfully . `` I do n't , I never cry , no matter how I 'm hurt ; it 's babyish , '' said Nan , loftily . `` Pooh ! I could make you cry in two minutes , '' returned Stuffy , rousing up . `` See if you can . '' `` Go and pick that bunch of nettles , then , '' and Stuffy pointed to a sturdy specimen of that prickly plant growing by the wall . Nan instantly `` grasped the nettle , '' pulled it up , and held it with a defiant gesture , in spite of the almost unbearable sting . `` Good for you , '' cried the boys , quick to acknowledge courage even in one of the weaker sex . More nettled than she was , Stuffy determined to get a cry out of her somehow , and he said tauntingly , `` You are used to poking your hands into every thing , so that is n't fair . Now go and bump your head real hard against the barn , and see if you do n't howl then . '' `` Do n't do it , '' said Nat , who hated cruelty . But Nan was off , and running straight at the barn , she gave her head a blow that knocked her flat , and sounded like a battering-ram . Dizzy , but undaunted , she staggered up , saying stoutly , though her face was drawn with pain , `` That hurt , but I do n't cry . '' `` Do it again , '' said Stuffy angrily ; and Nan would have done it , but Nat held her ; and Tommy , forgetting the heat , flew at Stuffy like a little game-cock , roaring out , `` Stop it , or I 'll throw you over the barn ! '' and so shook and hustled poor Stuffy that for a minute he did not know whether he was on his head or his heels . `` She told me to , '' was all he could say , when Tommy let him alone . `` Never mind if she did ; it is awfully mean to hurt a little girl , '' said Demi , reproachfully . `` Ho ! I do n't mind ; I ai n't a little girl , I 'm older than you and Daisy ; so now , '' cried Nan , ungratefully . `` Do n't preach , Deacon , you bully Posy every day of your life , '' called out the Commodore , who just then hove in sight .
`` I do n't hurt her ; do I , XXXXX ? ''
Daisy Deacon Demi Ho Jack Nan Pooh Stuffy battering-ram minute