Little ugly things come out of 'em ; I ca n't say the name , but they are brown , and keep having new skins , and getting bigger and bigger . Only think ! it takes them two years to be a dragonfly ! Now this is the curiousest part of it , so you listen tight , for I do n't believe you know it . When it is ready it knows somehow , and the ugly , grubby thing climbs up out of the water on a flag or a bulrush , and bursts open its back . '' `` Come , I do n't believe that , '' said Tommy , who was not an observant boy , and really thought Dick was `` making up . '' `` It does burst open its back , do n't it ? '' and Dick appealed to Mr. Bhaer , who nodded a very decided affirmative , to the little speaker 's great satisfaction . `` Well , out comes the dragonfly , all whole , and he sits in the sun sort of coming alive , you know ; and he gets strong , and then he spreads his pretty wings , and flies away up in the air , and never is a grub any more . That 's all I know ; but I shall watch and try to see him do it , for I think it 's splendid to turn into a beautiful dragonfly , do n't you ? '' Dick had told his story well , and , when he described the flight of the new-born insect , had waved his hands , and looked up as if he saw , and wanted to follow it . Something in his face suggested to the minds of the elder listeners the thought that some day little Dick would have his wish , and after years of helplessness and pain would climb up into the sun some happy day , and , leaving his poor little body behind him , find a new lovely shape in a fairer world than this . Mrs. Jo drew him to her side , and said , with a kiss on his thin cheek , `` That is a sweet little story , dear , and you remembered it wonderfully well . I shall write and tell your mother all about it ; '' and Dick sat on her knee , contentedly smiling at the praise , and resolving to watch well , and catch the dragonfly in the act of leaving its old body for the new , and see how he did it . Dolly had a few remarks to make upon the `` Duck , '' and made them in a sing-song tone , for he had learned it by heart , and thought it a great plague to do it at all . `` Wild ducks are hard to kill ; men hide and shoot at them , and have tame ducks to quack and make the wild ones come where the men can fire at them . They have wooden ducks made too , and they sail round , and the wild ones come to see them ; they are stupid , I think . Our ducks are very tame . They eat a great deal , and go poking round in the mud and water . They do n't take good care of their eggs , but them spoil , and -- '' `` Mine do n't ! ''
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Bhaer Dick Dolly Jo Tommy bulrush day dragonfly fire years