She put little nosegays from her garden on his desk , and tried in every way to show that she was not a fair-weather friend , but faithful through evil as well as good repute . Nan soon followed her example , in kindness at least ; curbed her sharp tongue , and kept her scornful little nose from any demonstration of doubt or dislike , which was good of Madame Giddy-gaddy , for she firmly believed that Nat took the money . Most of the boys let him severely alone , but Dan , though he said he despised him for being a coward , watched over him with a grim sort of protection , and promptly cuffed any lad who dared to molest his mate or make him afraid . His idea of friendship was as high as Daisy 's , and , in his own rough way , he lived up to it as loyally . Sitting by the brook one afternoon , absorbed in the study of the domestic habits of water-spiders , he overheard a bit of conversation on the other side of the wall . Ned , who was intensely inquisitive , had been on tenterhooks to know certainly who was the culprit ; for of late one or two of the boys had begun to think that they were wrong , Nat was so steadfast in his denials , and so meek in his endurance of their neglect . This doubt had teased Ned past bearing , and he had several times privately beset Nat with questions , regardless of Mr. Bhaer 's express command . Finding Nat reading alone on the shady side of the wall , Ned could not resist stopping for a nibble at the forbidden subject . He had worried Nat for some ten minutes before Dan arrived , and the first words the spider-student heard were these , in Nat 's patient , pleading voice , `` Do n't , Ned ! oh , do n't ! I ca n't tell you because I do n't know , and it 's mean of you to keep nagging at me on the sly , when Father Bhaer told you not to plague me . You would n't dare to if Dan was round . '' `` I ai n't afraid of Dan ; he 's nothing but an old bully . Do n't believe but what he took Tom 's money , and you know it , and wo n't tell . Come , now ! '' `` He did n't , but , if he did , I would stand up for him , he has always been so good to me , '' said Nat , so earnestly that Dan forgot his spiders , and rose quickly to thank him , but Ned 's next words arrested him . `` I know Dan did it , and gave the money to you . Should n't wonder if he got his living picking pockets before he came here , for nobody knows any thing about him but you , '' said Ned , not believing his own words , but hoping to get the truth out of Nat by making him angry . He succeeded in a part of his ungenerous wish , for Nat cried out , fiercely , `` If you say that again I 'll go and tell Mr. Bhaer all about it . I do n't want to tell tales , but , by George !
I will , if you do n't let XXXXX alone . ''
Daisy Dan Giddy-gaddy Nan Tom first nosegays spiders tenterhooks water-spiders