LITTLE MEN LIFE AT PLUMFIELD WITH JO 'S BOYS CHAPTER I. NAT `` Please , sir , is this Plumfield ? '' asked a ragged boy of the man who opened the great gate at which the omnibus left him . `` Yes . Who sent you ? '' `` Mr. Laurence . I have got a letter for the lady . '' `` All right ; go up to the house , and give it to her ; she 'll see to you , little chap . '' The man spoke pleasantly , and the boy went on , feeling much cheered by the words . Through the soft spring rain that fell on sprouting grass and budding trees , Nat saw a large square house before him a hospitable-looking house , with an old-fashioned porch , wide steps , and lights shining in many windows . Neither curtains nor shutters hid the cheerful glimmer ; and , pausing a moment before he rang , Nat saw many little shadows dancing on the walls , heard the pleasant hum of young voices , and felt that it was hardly possible that the light and warmth and comfort within could be for a homeless `` little chap '' like him . `` I hope the lady will see to me , '' he thought , and gave a timid rap with the great bronze knocker , which was a jovial griffin 's head . A rosy-faced servant-maid opened the door , and smiled as she took the letter which he silently offered . She seemed used to receiving strange boys , for she pointed to a seat in the hall , and said , with a nod : `` Sit there and drip on the mat a bit , while I take this in to missis . '' Nat found plenty to amuse him while he waited , and stared about him curiously , enjoying the view , yet glad to do so unobserved in the dusky recess by the door . The house seemed swarming with boys , who were beguiling the rainy twilight with all sorts of amusements . There were boys everywhere , `` up-stairs and down-stairs and in the lady 's chamber , '' apparently , for various open doors showed pleasant groups of big boys , little boys , and middle-sized boys in all stages of evening relaxation , not to say effervescence . Two large rooms on the right were evidently schoolrooms , for desks , maps , blackboards , and books were scattered about . An open fire burned on the hearth , and several indolent lads lay on their backs before it , discussing a new cricket-ground , with such animation that their boots waved in the air . A tall youth was practising on the flute in one corner , quite undisturbed by the racket all about him . Two or three others were jumping over the desks , pausing , now and then , to get their breath and laugh at the droll sketches of a little wag who was caricaturing the whole household on a blackboard .
In the room on the XXXXX a long supper-table was seen , set forth with great pitchers of new milk , piles of brown and white bread , and perfect stacks of the shiny gingerbread so dear to boyish souls .
Laurence Nat PLUMFIELD down-stairs effervescence knocker left missis schoolrooms up-stairs