Nat found himself very well off behind the tall pitchers , with Tommy Bangs just around the corner , and Mrs. Bhaer close by to fill up plate and mug as fast as he could empty them . `` Who is that boy next the girl down at the other end ? '' whispered Nat to his young neighbor under cover of a general laugh . `` That 's Demi Brooke . Mr. Bhaer is his uncle . '' `` What a queer name ! '' `` His real name is John , but they call him Demi-John , because his father is John too . That 's a joke , do n't you see ? '' said Tommy , kindly explaining . Nat did not see , but politely smiled , and asked , with interest : `` Is n't he a very nice boy ? '' `` I bet you he is ; knows lots and reads like any thing . '' `` Who is the fat one next him ? '' `` Oh , that 's Stuffy Cole . His name is George , but we call him Stuffy 'cause he eats so much . The little fellow next Father Bhaer is his boy Rob , and then there 's big Franz his nephew ; he teaches some , and kind of sees to us . '' `` He plays the flute , does n't he ? '' asked Nat as Tommy rendered himself speechless by putting a whole baked apple into his mouth at one blow . Tommy nodded , and said , sooner than one would have imagined possible under the circumstances , `` Oh , do n't he , though ? And we dance sometimes , and do gymnastics to music . I like a drum myself , and mean to learn as soon as ever I can . ''
`` I like a fiddle best ; I can play one too , '' said XXXXX , getting confidential on this attractive subject .
Bangs Bhaer Brooke Demi-John Franz George John Nat Rob Tommy