Mr Bhaer was just setting off to find his lost son , when a telegram arrived , dated at one of the way-stations on Mr Laurie 's route : Found Ted in the cars . Take him along . Write tomorrow . T. LAURENCE ` Ted bolted sooner than you expected , mother . Never mind -- uncle will take good care of him , and Dan be very glad to see him , ' said Rob , as Mrs Jo sat , trying to realize that her youngest was actually on his way to the wild West . ` Disobedient boy ! He shall be severely punished , if I ever get him again . Laurie winked at this prank ; I know he did . Just like him . Wo n't the two rascals have a splendid time ? Wish I was with them ! Do n't believe that crazy boy took even a night-gown with him , or an overcoat . Well , there will be two patients for us to nurse when they get back , if they ever do . Those reckless express trains always go down precipices , and burn up , or telescope . Oh ! my Ted , my precious boy , how can I let him go so far away from me ? ' And mother-like , Mrs Jo forgot the threatened chastisement in tender lamentations over the happy scapegrace , now whizzing across the continent in high feather at the success of his first revolt . Mr Laurie was much amused at his insisting that those words , ` when Ted bolts ' , put the idea into his head ; and therefore the responsibility rested upon his shoulders . He assumed it kindly from the moment he came upon the runaway asleep in a car , with no visible luggage but a bottle of wine for Dan and a blacking-brush for himself ; and as Mrs Jo suspected , the ` two rascals ' did have a splendid time . Penitent letters arrived in due season , and the irate parents soon forgot to chide in their anxiety about Dan , who was very ill , and did not know his friends for several days .
Then he began to mend ; and everyone forgave the bad boy when he proudly reported that the first conscious words Dan said were : ` Hallo , XXXXX ! '
Dan Jo LAURENCE Laurie Rob Ted burn first precipices scapegrace