`` Oh , it 's just beautiful ! '' cried Nat . `` I do hope you 'll let me up sometimes . I never saw such a nice place in all my life . I 'd like to be a bird , and live here always . '' `` It is pretty nice . You can come if Demi do n't mind , and I guess he wo n't , because he said last night that he liked you . '' `` Did he ? '' and Nat smiled with pleasure , for Demi 's regard seemed to be valued by all the boys , partly because he was Father Bhaer 's nephew , and partly because he was such a sober , conscientious little fellow . `` Yes ; Demi likes quiet chaps , and I guess he and you will get on if you care about reading as he does . '' Poor Nat 's flush of pleasure deepened to a painful scarlet at those last words , and he stammered out , `` I ca n't read very well ; I never had any time ; I was always fiddling round , you know . '' `` I do n't love it myself , but I can do it well enough when I want to , '' said Tommy , after a surprised look , which said as plainly as words , `` A boy twelve years old and ca n't read ! '' `` I can read music , anyway , '' added Nat , rather ruffled at having to confess his ignorance . `` I ca n't ; '' and Tommy spoke in a respectful tone , which emboldened Nat to say firmly , `` I mean to study real hard and learn every thing I can , for I never had a chance before . Does Mr. Bhaer give hard lessons ? '' `` No ; he is n't a bit cross ; he sort of explains and gives you a boost over the hard places . Some folks do n't ; my other master did n't . If we missed a word , did n't we get raps on the head ! '' and Tommy rubbed his own pate as if it tingled yet with the liberal supply of raps , the memory of which was the only thing he brought away after a year with his `` other master . '' `` I think I could read this , '' said Nat , who had been examining the books .
`` Read a bit , then ; I 'll help you , '' resumed XXXXX , with a patronizing air .
Bhaer Demi Nat Tommy books nephew night old raps year