When the tale was finished , Mr. Bhaer looked down the long table towards his wife , and said with a laugh in his eyes , `` This rather belongs to your side of the house , so I wo n't meddle with it , my dear . '' Mrs. Jo knew what he meant , but she liked her little black sheep all the better for her pluck , though she only said in her soberest way , `` Do you know why I asked Nan to come here ? '' `` To plague me , '' muttered Stuffy , with his mouth full . `` To help make little gentlemen of you , and I think you have shown that some of you need it . '' Here Stuffy retired into his bowl again , and did not emerge till Demi made them all laugh by saying , in his slow wondering way , `` How can she , when she 's such a tomboy ? '' `` That 's just it , she needs help as much as you , and I expect you set her an example of good manners . '' `` Is she going to be a little gentleman too ? '' asked Rob . `` She 'd like it ; would n't you , Nan ? '' added Tommy . `` No , I should n't ; I hate boys ! '' said Nan fiercely , for her hand still smarted , and she began to think that she might have shown her courage in some wiser way . `` I am sorry you hate my boys , because they can be well-mannered , and most agreeable when they choose . Kindness in looks and words and ways is true politeness , and any one can have it if they only try to treat other people as they like to be treated themselves . '' Mrs. Bhaer had addressed herself to Nan , but the boys nudged one another , and appeared to take the hint , for that time at least , and passed the butter ; said `` please , '' and `` thank you , '' `` yes , sir , '' and `` no , ma'am , '' with unusual elegance and respect . Nan said nothing , but kept herself quiet and refrained from tickling Demi , though strongly tempted to do so , because of the dignified airs he put on . She also appeared to have forgotten her hatred of boys , and played `` I spy '' with them till dark . Stuffy was observed to offer her frequent sucks on his candy-ball during the game , which evidently sweetened her temper , for the last thing she said on going to bed was , `` When my battledore and shuttle-cock comes , I 'll let you all play with 'em . '' Her first remark in the morning was `` Has my box come ? '' and when told that it would arrive sometime during the day , she fretted and fumed , and whipped her doll , till Daisy was shocked .
She managed to exist , however , till five o'clock , when she disappeared , and was not missed till supper-time , because those at home thought she had gone to the hill with Tommy and XXXXX .
Bhaer Daisy Demi Nan Stuffy Tommy candy-ball first shuttle-cock tomboy