He was too feeble to be worried with questions now , but she promised herself most interesting revelations when she got him safe at home ; for the ` firebrand ' was her most interesting boy . She begged him to come , and spent more time in composing a letter that should bring him , than she did over the most thrilling episodes in her ` works ' . No one but Dan saw the letter ; but it did bring him , and one November day Mr Laurie helped a feeble man out of a carriage at the door of Plumfield , and Mother Bhaer received the wanderer like a recovered son ; while Ted , in a disreputable-looking hat and an astonishing pair of boots , performed a sort of war-dance round the interesting group . ` Right upstairs and rest ; I 'm nurse now , and this ghost must eat before he talks to anyone , ' commanded Mrs Jo , trying not to show how shocked she was at this shorn and shaven , gaunt and pallid shadow of the stalwart man she parted with . He was quite content to obey , and lay on the long lounge in the room prepared for him , looking about as tranquilly as a sick child restored to its own nursery and mother 's arms , while his new nurse fed and refreshed him , bravely controlling the questions that burned upon her tongue . Being weak and weary , he soon fell asleep ; and then she stole away to enjoy the society of the ` rascals ' , whom she scolded and petted , pumped and praised , to her heart 's content . ` Jo , I think Dan has committed some crime and suffered for it , ' said Mr Laurie , when Ted had departed to show his boots and tell glowing tales of the dangers and delights of the miners ' life to his mates . ` Some terrible experience has come to the lad , and broken his spirit . He was quite out of his head when we arrived , and I took the watching , so I heard more of those sad wanderings than anyone else . He talked of the `` warden '' , some trail , a dead man , and Blair and Mason , and would keep offering me his hand , asking me if I would take it and forgive him . Once , when he was very wild , I held his arms , and he quieted in a moment , imploring me not to `` put the handcuffs on '' . I declare , it was quite awful sometimes to hear him in the night talk of old Plum and you , and beg to be let out and go home to die . ' ` He is n't going to die , but live to repent of anything he may have done ; so do n't harrow me up with these dark hints , Teddy . I do n't care if he 's broken the Ten Commandments , I 'll stand by him , and so will you , and we 'll set him on his feet and make a good man of him yet . I know he 's not spoilt , by the look in his poor face . Do n't say a word to anyone , and I 'll have the truth before long , ' answered Mrs Jo , still loyal to her bad boy , though much afflicted by what she had heard . For some days Dan rested , and saw few people ; then good care , cheerful surroundings , and the comfort of being at home began to tell , and he seemed more like himself , though still very silent as to his late experiences , pleading the doctor 's orders not to talk much . Everyone wanted to see him ; but he shrank from any but old friends , and ` would n't lionize worth a cent ' , Ted said , much disappointed that he could not show off his brave Dan . ` Was n't a man there who would n't have done the same , so why make a row over me ? ' asked the hero , feeling more ashamed than proud of the broken arm , which looked so interesting in a sling .
` But is n't it pleasant to think that you saved twenty lives , XXXXX , and gave husbands , sons , and fathers back to the women who loved them ? '
Bhaer Blair Dan Jo Laurie Mason Plumfield Right Ted night