he asked , looking alarmed at the word `` crutches . '' `` I hope so ; '' and with that the doctor departed , leaving Dan much depressed ; for the loss of a foot is a dreadful calamity to an active boy . `` Do n't be troubled , I am a famous nurse , and we will have you tramping about as well as ever in a month , '' said Mrs. Jo , taking a hopeful view of the case . But the fear of being lame haunted Dan , and even Teddy 's caresses did not cheer him ; so Mrs. Jo proposed that one or two of the boys should come in and pay him a little visit , and asked whom he would like to see . `` Nat and Demi ; I 'd like my hat too , there 's something in it I guess they 'd like to see . I suppose you threw away my bundle of plunder ? '' said Dan , looking rather anxious as he put the question . `` No , I kept it , for I thought they must be treasures of some kind , you took such care of them ; '' and Mrs. Jo brought him his old straw hat stuck full of butterflies and beetles , and a handkerchief containing a collection of odd things picked up on his way : birds ' eggs , carefully done up in moss , curious shells and stones , bits of fungus , and several little crabs , in a state of great indignation at their imprisonment . `` Could I have something to put these fellers in ? Mr. Hyde and I found 'em , and they are first-rate ones , so I 'd like to keep and watch 'em ; can I ? '' asked Dan , forgetting his foot , and laughing to see the crabs go sidling and backing over the bed . `` Of course you can ; Polly 's old cage will be just the thing . Do n't let them nip Teddy 's toes while I get it ; '' and away went Mrs. Jo , leaving Dan overjoyed to find that his treasures were not considered rubbish , and thrown away . Nat , Demi , and the cage arrived together , and the crabs were settled in their new house , to the great delight of the boys , who , in the excitement of the performance , forgot any awkwardness they might otherwise have felt in greeting the runaway . To these admiring listeners Dan related his adventures much more fully than he had done to the Bhaers . Then he displayed his `` plunder , '' and described each article so well , that Mrs. Jo , who had retired to the next room to leave them free , was surprised and interested , as well as amused , at their boyish chatter . `` How much the lad knows of these things ! how absorbed he is in them ! and what a mercy it is just now , for he cares so little for books , it would be hard to amuse him while he is laid up ; but the boys can supply him with beetles and stones to any extent , and I am glad to find out this taste of his ; it is a good one , and may perhaps prove the making of him . If he should turn out a great naturalist , and Nat a musician , I should have cause to be proud of this year 's work ; '' and Mrs. Jo sat smiling over her book as she built castles in the air , just as she used to do when a girl , only then they were for herself , and now they were for other people , which is the reason perhaps that some of them came to pass in reality for charity is an excellent foundation to build anything upon .
Nat was most interested in the adventures , but XXXXX enjoyed the beetles and butterflies immensely , drinking in the history of their changeful little lives as if it were a new and lovely sort of fairy tale for , even in his plain way , Dan told it well , and found great satisfaction in the thought that here at least the small philosopher could learn of him .
Bhaers Dan Demi Hyde Jo Nat Polly course month visit