said Tommy , kindly explaining . Nat did not see , but politely smiled , and asked , with interest : `` Is n't he a very nice boy ? '' `` I bet you he is ; knows lots and reads like any thing . '' `` Who is the fat one next him ? '' `` Oh , that 's Stuffy Cole . His name is George , but we call him Stuffy 'cause he eats so much . The little fellow next Father Bhaer is his boy Rob , and then there 's big Franz his nephew ; he teaches some , and kind of sees to us . '' `` He plays the flute , does n't he ? '' asked Nat as Tommy rendered himself speechless by putting a whole baked apple into his mouth at one blow . Tommy nodded , and said , sooner than one would have imagined possible under the circumstances , `` Oh , do n't he , though ? And we dance sometimes , and do gymnastics to music . I like a drum myself , and mean to learn as soon as ever I can . '' `` I like a fiddle best ; I can play one too , '' said Nat , getting confidential on this attractive subject . `` Can you ? '' and Tommy stared over the rim of his mug with round eyes , full of interest . `` Mr. Bhaer 's got an old fiddle , and he 'll let you play on it if you want to . '' `` Could I ? Oh , I would like it ever so much . You see , I used to go round fiddling with my father , and another man , till he died . '' `` Was n't that fun ? ''
cried XXXXX , much impressed .
'cause Bhaer Franz George Nat Rob Tommy father kind lots