`` It did cure me , and I think it will you , so I am going to try it , '' said Mrs. Jo , suddenly taking a ball of strong twine out of a drawer in her work-table . Nan looked as if she was decidedly getting the worst of the argument now , and sat feeling much crestfallen while Mrs. Jo tied one end round her waist and the other to the arm of the sofa , saying , as she finished , `` I do n't like to tie you up like a naughty little dog , but if you do n't remember any better than a dog , I must treat you like one . '' `` I 'd just as lief be tied up as not I like to play dog ; '' and Nan put on a do n't - care face , and began to growl and grovel on the floor . Mrs. Jo took no notice , but leaving a book or two and a handkerchief to hem , she went away , and left Miss Nan to her own devices . This was not agreeable , and after sitting a moment she tried to untie the cord . But it was fastened in the belt of her apron behind , so she began on the knot at the other end . It soon came loose , and , gathering it up , Nan was about to get out of the window , when she heard Mrs. Jo say to somebody as she passed through the hall , `` No , I do n't think she will run away now ; she is an honorable little girl , and knows that I do it to help her . '' In a minute , Nan whisked back , tied herself up , and began to sew violently . Rob came in a moment after , and was so charmed with the new punishment , that he got a jump-rope and tethered himself to the other arm of the sofa in the most social manner . `` I got lost too , so I ought to be tied up as much as Nan , '' he explained to his mother when she saw the new captive . `` I 'm not sure that you do n't deserve a little punishment , for you knew it was wrong to go far away from the rest . '' `` Nan took me , '' began Rob , willing to enjoy the novel penalty , but not willing to take the blame . `` You need n't have gone . You have got a conscience , though you are a little boy , and you must learn to mind it . '' `` Well , my conscience did n't prick me a bit when she said ` Let 's get over the wall , ' '' answered Rob , quoting one of Demi 's expressions . `` Did you stop to see if it did ? '' `` No . '' `` Then you can not tell . '' `` I guess it 's such a little conscience that it do n't prick hard enough for me to feel it , '' added Rob , after thinking the matter over for a minute . `` We must sharpen it up .
It 's bad to have a dull conscience ; so you may stay here till dinner-time , and talk about it with XXXXX .
Demi Jo Nan Rob arm conscience jump-rope lief minute twine