Ach ! this is not well . We must have Dr. Firth to-morrow . Warm water , Jo , and old linen . '' Mr. Bhaer bathed and bound up the wounded foot , while Mrs. Jo prepared the only empty bed in the house . It was in the little guest-chamber leading from the parlor , and often used when the lads were poorly , for it saved Mrs. Jo from running up and down , and the invalids could see what was going on . When it was ready , Mr. Bhaer took the boy in his arms , and carried him in , helped him undress , laid him on the little white bed , and left him with another hand-shake , and a fatherly `` Good-night , my son . '' Dan dropped asleep at once , and slept heavily for several hours ; then his foot began to throb and ache , and he awoke to toss about uneasily , trying not to groan lest any one should hear him , for he was a brave lad , and did bear pain like `` a little Spartan , '' as Mr. Bhaer called him . Mrs. Jo had a way of flitting about the house at night , to shut the windows if the wind grew chilly , to draw mosquito curtains over Teddy , or look after Tommy , who occasionally walked in his sleep . The least noise waked her , and as she often heard imaginary robbers , cats , and conflagrations , the doors stood open all about , so her quick ear caught the sound of Dan 's little moans , and she was up in a minute . He was just giving his hot pillow a despairing thump when a light came glimmering through the hall , and Mrs. Jo crept in , looking like a droll ghost , with her hair in a great knob on the top of her head , and a long gray dressing-gown trailing behind her . `` Are you in pain , Dan ? '' `` It 's pretty bad ; but I did n't mean to wake you . '' `` I 'm a sort of owl , always flying about at night . Yes , your foot is like fire ; the bandages must be wet again , '' and away flapped the maternal owl for more cooling stuff , and a great mug of ice water . `` Oh , that 's so nice ! '' sighed Dan , the wet bandages went on again , and a long draught of water cooled his thirsty throat . `` There , now , sleep your best , and do n't be frightened if you see me again , for I 'll slip down by and by , and give you another sprinkle . '' As she spoke , Mrs. Jo stooped to turn the pillow and smooth the bed-clothes , when , to her great surprise , Dan put his arm around her neck , drew her face down to his , and kissed her , with a broken `` Thank you , ma'am , '' which said more than the most eloquent speech could have done ; for the hasty kiss , the muttered words , meant , `` I 'm sorry , I will try . '' She understood it , accepted the unspoken confession , and did not spoil it by any token of surprise .
She only remembered that he had no mother , kissed the brown cheek half hidden on the pillow , as if ashamed of the little touch of tenderness , and XXXXX him , saying , what he long remembered , `` You are my boy now , and if you choose you can make me proud and glad to say so . ''
Ach Bhaer Dan Jo Tommy conflagrations dressing-gown hours left undress