He ca n't earn much , you know ; so I 'm going to kind of see to him ; '' and good-hearted Tommy quite longed to begin . `` I think that 's a beautiful plan , and I 'm not going to try to buy a fiddle any more ; I 'm going to get Dan his net all myself , and if there is any money left , I 'll do something to please poor Billy . He 's fond of me , and though he is n't poor , he 'd like some little thing from me , because I can make out what he wants better than the rest of you . '' And Nat fell to wondering how much happiness could be got out of his precious three dollars . `` So I would . Now come and ask Mr. Bhaer if you ca n't go in town with me on Monday afternoon , so you can get the net , while I get the microscope . Franz and Emil are going too , and we 'll have a jolly time larking round among the shops . '' The lads walked away arm-in-arm , discussing the new plans with droll importance , yet beginning already to feel the sweet satisfaction which comes to those who try , no matter how humbly , to be earthly providences to the poor and helpless , and gild their mite with the gold of charity before it is laid up where thieves can not break through and steal . `` Come up and rest while we sort the leaves ; it 's so cool and pleasant here , '' said Demi , as he and Dan came sauntering home from a long walk in the woods . `` All right ! '' answered Dan , who was a boy of few words , and up they went . `` What makes birch leaves shake so much more than the others ? '' asked inquiring Demi , who was always sure of an answer from Dan . `` They are hung differently . Do n't you see the stem where it joins the leaf is sort of pinched one way , and where it joins the twig , it is pinched another . This makes it waggle with the least bit of wind , but the elm leaves hang straight , and keep stiller . '' `` How curious ! will this do so ? '' and Demi held up a sprig of acacia , which he had broken from a little tree on the lawn , because it was so pretty . `` No ; that belongs to the sort that shuts up when you touch it .
Draw your finger down the middle of the stem , and see if the leaves do n't curl up , '' said XXXXX , who was examining a bit of mica .
Bhaer Dan Demi Emil Franz Tommy left providences right twig