`` Robin , my man , trot up to Nursey , and tell her to give thee the cough-bottle and the liniment , '' said Mr. Bhaer , after his eyes had exchanged telegrams with his wife 's . Nat looked a little anxious at the preparations , but forgot his fears in a hearty laugh , when Mrs. Bhaer whispered to him , with a droll look : `` Hear my rogue Teddy try to cough . The syrup I 'm going to give you has honey in it ; and he wants some . '' Little Ted was red in the face with his exertions by the time the bottle came , and was allowed to suck the spoon after Nat had manfully taken a dose and had the bit of flannel put about his throat . These first steps toward a cure were hardly completed when a great bell rang , and a loud tramping through the hall announced supper . Bashful Nat quaked at the thought of meeting many strange boys , but Mrs. Bhaer held out her hand to him , and Rob said , patronizingly , `` Do n't be ` fraid ; I 'll take care of you . '' Twelve boys , six on a side , stood behind their chairs , prancing with impatience to begin , while the tall flute-playing youth was trying to curb their ardor . But no one sat down till Mrs. Bhaer was in her place behind the teapot , with Teddy on her left , and Nat on her right . `` This is our new boy , Nat Blake . After supper you can say how do you do ? Gently , boys , gently . '' As she spoke every one stared at Nat , and then whisked into their seats , trying to be orderly and failing utterly . The Bhaers did their best to have the lads behave well at meal times , and generally succeeded pretty well , for their rules were few and sensible , and the boys , knowing that they tried to make things easy and happy , did their best to obey . But there are times when hungry boys can not be repressed without real cruelty , and Saturday evening , after a half-holiday , was one of those times . `` Dear little souls , do let them have one day in which they can howl and racket and frolic to their hearts ' content . A holiday is n't a holiday without plenty of freedom and fun ; and they shall have full swing once a week , '' Mrs. Bhaer used to say , when prim people wondered why banister-sliding , pillow-fights , and all manner of jovial games were allowed under the once decorous roof of Plumfield . It did seem at times as if the aforesaid roof was in danger of flying off , but it never did , for a word from Father Bhaer could at any time produce a lull , and the lads had learned that liberty must not be abused . So , in spite of many dark predictions , the school flourished , and manners and morals were insinuated , without the pupils exactly knowing how it was done . Nat found himself very well off behind the tall pitchers , with Tommy Bangs just around the corner , and Mrs. Bhaer close by to fill up plate and mug as fast as he could empty them . `` Who is that boy next the girl down at the other end ? ''
whispered XXXXX to his young neighbor under cover of a general laugh .
Bhaer Nat Robin Ted banister-sliding cough-bottle day half-holiday right teapot