Are you quite sure you put it back ? ' said the man to Lewis , who was much troubled at the loss , and vowed over and over again that he did return it . His denials seemed to do no good , however , for every one was sure he had taken it , and after a stormy scene Miss Crane paid for it , and the man went grumbling away . '' `` Did Lewis have it ? '' cried Nat , much excited . `` You will see . Now poor Lewis had another trial to bear , for the boys were constantly saying , ` Lend me your pearl-handled knife , Gooseberry , ' and things of that sort , till Lewis was so unhappy he begged to be sent home . Miss Crane did her best to keep the boys quiet , but it was hard work , for they would tease , and she could not be with them all the time . That is one of the hardest things to teach boys ; they wo n't ` hit a fellow when he is down , ' as they say , but they will torment him in little ways till he would thank them to fight it out all round . '' `` I know that , '' said Dan . `` So do I , '' added Nat , softly . Jack said nothing , but he quite agreed ; for he knew that the elder boys despised him , and let him alone for that very reason . `` Do go on about poor Lewis , Aunt Jo . I do n't believe he took the knife , but I want to be sure , '' said Daisy , in great anxiety . `` Well , week after week went on and the matter was not cleared up . The boys avoided Lewis , and he , poor fellow , was almost sick with the trouble he had brought upon himself . He resolved never to tell another lie , and tried so hard that Miss Crane pitied and helped him , and really came at last to believe that he did not take the knife . Two months after the peddler 's first visit , he came again , and the first thing he said was , '' ` Well , ma'am , I found that knife after all . It had slipped behind the lining of my valise , and fell out the other day when I was putting in a new stock of goods . I thought I 'd call and let you know , as you paid for it , and maybe would like it , so here it is . ' ''
`` The boys had all gathered round , and at these words they felt much ashamed , and begged XXXXX ' pardon so heartily that he could not refuse to give it .
Crane Dan Gooseberry Jack Jo Lewis Nat first months week