`` Now , go down to supper , and do your best , my boy , more for your own sake than for ours . '' Then Mr. Bhaer shook hands with him , and Dan went down more tamed by kindness than he would have been by the good whipping which Asia had strongly recommended . Dan did try for a day or two , but not being used to it , he soon tired and relapsed into his old wilful ways . Mr. Bhaer was called from home on business one day , and the boys had no lessons . They liked this , and played hard till bedtime , when most of them turned in and slept like dormice . Dan , however , had a plan in his head , and when he and Nat were alone , he unfolded it . `` Look here ! '' he said , taking from under his bed a bottle , a cigar , and a pack of cards , `` I 'm going to have some fun , and do as I used to with the fellows in town . Here 's some beer , I got if of the old man at the station , and this cigar ; you can pay for 'em or Tommy will , he 's got heaps of money and I have n't a cent . I 'm going to ask him in ; no , you go , they wo n't mind you . '' `` The folks wo n't like it , '' began Nat . `` They wo n't know . Daddy Bhaer is away , and Mrs. Bhaer 's busy with Ted ; he 's got croup or something , and she ca n't leave him . We sha n't sit up late or make any noise , so where 's the harm ? '' `` Asia will know if we burn the lamp long , she always does . '' `` No , she wo n't , I 've got a dark lantern on purpose ; it do n't give much light , and we can shut it quick if we hear anyone coming , '' said Dan . This idea struck Nat as a fine one , and lent an air of romance to the thing . He started off to tell Tommy , but put his head in again to say , `` You want Demi , too , do n't you ? '' `` No , I do n't ; the Deacon will rollup eyes and preach if you tell him . He will be asleep , so just tip the wink to Tom and cut back again . ''
Nat obeyed , and returned in a minute with XXXXX half dressed , rather tousled about the head and very sleepy , but quite ready for fun as usual .
Asia Bhaer Dan Deacon Demi Nat Tommy burn croup dormice