`` What are you going to raise this year ? '' `` Wal , I cattleated to hev beans , as they are about the easiest crop a-goin ' . '' Nat could not help laughing , for Tommy had pushed back his hat , put his hands in his pockets , and drawled out his words in unconscious imitation of Silas , the man who managed the place for Mr. Bhaer . `` Come , you need n't laugh ; beans are ever so much easier than corn or potatoes . I tried melons last year , but the bugs were a bother , and the old things would n't get ripe before the frost , so I did n't have but one good water and two little ` mush mellions , ' '' said Tommy , relapsing into a `` Silasism '' with the last word . `` Corn looks pretty growing , '' said Nat , politely , to atone for his laugh . `` Yes , but you have to hoe it over and over again . Now , six weeks ' beans only have to be done once or so , and they get ripe soon . I 'm going to try 'em , for I spoke first . Stuffy wanted 'em , but he 's got to take peas ; they only have to be picked , and he ought to do it , he eats such a lot . '' `` I wonder if I shall have a garden ? '' said Nat , thinking that even corn-hoeing must be pleasant work . `` Of course you will , '' said a voice from below , and there was Mr. Bhaer returned from his walk , and come to find them , for he managed to have a little talk with every one of the lads some time during the day , and found that these chats gave them a good start for the coming week . Sympathy is a sweet thing , and it worked wonders here , for each boy knew that Father Bhaer was interested in him , and some were readier to open their hearts to him than to a woman , especially the older ones , who liked to talk over their hopes and plans , man to man . When sick or in trouble they instinctively turned to Mrs. Jo , while the little ones made her their mother-confessor on all occasions . In descending from their nest , Tommy fell into the brook ; being used to it , he calmly picked himself out and retired to the house to be dried . This left Nat to Mr. Bhaer , which was just what he wished , and , during the stroll they took among the garden plots , he won the lad 's heart by giving him a little `` farm , '' and discussing crops with him as gravely as if the food for the family depended on the harvest . From this pleasant topic they went to others , and Nat had many new and helpful thoughts put into a mind that received them as gratefully as the thirsty earth had received the warm spring rain . All supper time he brooded over them , often fixing his eyes on Mr. Bhaer with an inquiring look , that seemed to say , `` I like that , do it again , sir . '' I do n't know whether the man understood the child 's mute language or not , but when the boys were all gathered together in Mrs. Bhaer 's parlor for the Sunday evening talk , he chose a subject which might have been suggested by the walk in the garden .
As he looked about him XXXXX thought it seemed more like a great family than a school , for the lads were sitting in a wide half-circle round the fire , some on chairs , some on the rug , Daisy and Demi on the knees of Uncle Fritz , and Rob snugly stowed away in the back of his mother 's easy-chair , where he could nod unseen if the talk got beyond his depth .
Jo Nat Silasism Stuffy Wal chats evening first melons weeks