`` Will he ever come back ? '' asked Demi . `` That will depend on himself ; I hope so . '' As he spoke , Mr. Bhaer left the room to write his letter to Mr. Page , and the boys crowded round Dan very much as people do about a man who is going on a long and perilous journey to unknown regions . `` I wonder if you 'll like it , '' began Jack . `` Sha n't stay if I do n't , '' said Dan coolly . `` Where will you go ? '' asked Nat . `` I may go to sea , or out west , or take a look at California , '' answered Dan , with a reckless air that quite took away the breath of the little boys . `` Oh , do n't ! stay with Mr. Page awhile and then come back here ; do , Dan , '' pleaded Nat , much affected at the whole affair . `` I do n't care where I go , or how long I stay , and I 'll be hanged if I ever come back here , '' with which wrathful speech Dan went away to put up his things , every one of which Mr. Bhaer had given him . That was the only good-bye he gave the boys , for they were all talking the matter over in the barn when he came down , and he told Nat not to call them . The wagon stood at the door , and Mrs. Bhaer came out to speak to Dan , looking so sad that his heart smote him , and he said in a low tone , `` May I say good-bye to Teddy ? '' `` Yes , dear ; go in and kiss him , he will miss his Danny very much . '' No one saw the look in Dan 's eyes as he stooped over the crib , and saw the little face light up at first sight of him , but he heard Mrs. Bhaer say pleadingly , `` Ca n't we give the poor lad one more trial , Fritz ? '' and Mr. Bhaer answer in his steady way , `` My dear , it is not best , so let him go where he can do no harm to others , while they do good to him , and by and by he shall come back , I promise you . '' `` He 's the only boy we ever failed with , and I am so grieved , for I thought there was the making of a fine man in him , spite of his faults . '' Dan heard Mrs. Bhaer sigh , and he wanted to ask for one more trial himself , but his pride would not let him , and he came out with the hard look on his face , shook hands without a word , and drove away with Mr. Bhaer , leaving Nat and Mrs. Jo to look after him with tears in their eyes . A few days afterwards they received a letter from Mr. Page , saying that Dan was doing well , whereat they all rejoiced .
But three weeks later came another letter , saying that XXXXX had run away , and nothing had been heard of him , whereat they all looked sober , and Mr. Bhaer said , `` Perhaps I ought to have given him another chance . ''
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