` Some terrible experience has come to the lad , and broken his spirit . He was quite out of his head when we arrived , and I took the watching , so I heard more of those sad wanderings than anyone else . He talked of the `` warden '' , some trail , a dead man , and Blair and Mason , and would keep offering me his hand , asking me if I would take it and forgive him . Once , when he was very wild , I held his arms , and he quieted in a moment , imploring me not to `` put the handcuffs on '' . I declare , it was quite awful sometimes to hear him in the night talk of old Plum and you , and beg to be let out and go home to die . ' ` He is n't going to die , but live to repent of anything he may have done ; so do n't harrow me up with these dark hints , Teddy . I do n't care if he 's broken the Ten Commandments , I 'll stand by him , and so will you , and we 'll set him on his feet and make a good man of him yet . I know he 's not spoilt , by the look in his poor face . Do n't say a word to anyone , and I 'll have the truth before long , ' answered Mrs Jo , still loyal to her bad boy , though much afflicted by what she had heard . For some days Dan rested , and saw few people ; then good care , cheerful surroundings , and the comfort of being at home began to tell , and he seemed more like himself , though still very silent as to his late experiences , pleading the doctor 's orders not to talk much . Everyone wanted to see him ; but he shrank from any but old friends , and ` would n't lionize worth a cent ' , Ted said , much disappointed that he could not show off his brave Dan . ` Was n't a man there who would n't have done the same , so why make a row over me ? ' asked the hero , feeling more ashamed than proud of the broken arm , which looked so interesting in a sling . ` But is n't it pleasant to think that you saved twenty lives , Dan , and gave husbands , sons , and fathers back to the women who loved them ? ' asked Mrs Jo one evening as they were alone together after several callers had been sent away . ` Pleasant ! it 's all that kept me alive , I do believe ; yes , I 'd rather have done it than be made president or any other big bug in the world . No one knows what a comfort it is to think I 've saved twenty men to more than pay for -- ' There Dan stopped short , having evidently spoken out of some strong emotion to which his hearer had no key . ' I thought you 'd feel so . It is a splendid thing to save life at the risk of one 's own , as you did , and nearly lose it , ' began Mrs Jo , wishing he had gone on with that impulsive speech which was so like his old manner . '
`` He that loseth his life shall gain it '' , ' muttered XXXXX , staring at the cheerful fire which lighted the room , and shone on his thin face with a ruddy glow .
Blair Commandments Dan Jo Mason Ted evening hearer night one