So Nat did his best , and floundered through a page with may friendly `` boosts '' from Tommy , who told him he would soon `` go it '' as well as anybody . Then they sat and talked boy-fashion about all sorts of things , among others , gardening ; for Nat , looking down from his perch , asked what was planted in the many little patches lying below them on the other side of the brook . `` These are our farms , '' said Tommy . `` We each have our own patch , and raise what we like in it , only have to choose different things , and ca n't change till the crop is in , and we must keep it in order all summer . '' `` 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. XXXXX , 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 .
Bhaer Silas Stuffy Tommy a-goin boy-fashion first melons mother-confessor weeks