This made him very happy , and , though he often forgot his responsibilities for a time , the desire to help was still there , strengthening with his years . He always uttered the words `` my father '' with an air of gentle pride , and often said , as if he claimed a title full of honor , `` Do n't call me Demi any more . I am John Brooke now . '' So , strengthened by a purpose and a hope , the little lad of ten bravely began the world , and entered into his inheritance , the memory of a wise and tender father , the legacy of an honest name . CHAPTER XX . ROUND THE FIRE With the October frosts came the cheery fires in the great fireplaces ; and Demi 's dry pine-chips helped Dan 's oak-knots to blaze royally , and go roaring up the chimney with a jolly sound . All were glad to gather round the hearth , as the evenings grew longer , to play games , read , or lay plans for the winter . But the favorite amusement was story-telling , and Mr. and Mrs. Bhaer were expected to have a store of lively tales always on hand . Their supply occasionally gave out , and then the boys were thrown upon their own resources , which were not always successful . Ghost-parties were the rage at one time ; for the fun of the thing consisted in putting out the lights , letting the fire die down , and then sitting in the dark , and telling the most awful tales they could invent . As this resulted in scares of all sorts among the boys , Tommy 's walking in his sleep on the shed roof , and a general state of nervousness in the little ones , it was forbidden , and they fell back on more harmless amusements . One evening , when the small boys were snugly tucked in bed , and the older lads were lounging about the school-room fire , trying to decide what they should do , Demi suggested a new way of settling the question . Seizing the hearth-brush , he marched up and down the room , saying , `` Row , row , row ; '' and when the boys , laughing and pushing , had got into line , he said , `` Now , I 'll give you two minutes to think of a play . '' Franz was writing , and Emil reading the Life of Lord Nelson , and neither joined the party , but the others thought hard , and when the time was up were ready to reply . `` Now , Tom ! '' and the poker softly rapped him on the head . `` Blind-man 's Buff . '' `` Jack ! '' `` Commerce ; a good round game , and have cents for the pool . '' `` Uncle forbids our playing for money .
XXXXX , what do you want ? ''
Blind-man Commerce Dan Demi Emil Franz Ghost-parties XX evening fire