He played with all his might , and played well at almost all the games . He was silent and gruff before grown people , and only now and then was thoroughly sociable among the lads . Few of them really liked him , but few could help admiring his courage and strength , for nothing daunted him , and he knocked tall Franz flat on one occasion with an ease that caused all the others to keep at a respectful distance from his fists . Mr. Bhaer watched him silently , and did his best to tame the `` Wild Boy , '' as they called him , but in private the worthy man shook his head , and said soberly , `` I hope the experiment will turn out well , but I am a little afraid it may cost too much . '' Mrs. Bhaer lost her patience with him half a dozen times a day , yet never gave him up , and always insisted that there was something good in the lad , after all ; for he was kinder to animals than to people , he liked to rove about in the woods , and , best of all , little Ted was fond of him . What the secret was no one could discover , but Baby took to him at once gabbled and crowed whenever he saw him preferred his strong back to ride on to any of the others and called him `` My Danny '' out of his own little head . Teddy was the only creature to whom Dan showed an affection , and this was only manifested when he thought no one else would see it ; but mothers ' eyes are quick , and motherly hearts instinctively divine who love their babies . So Mrs. Jo soon saw and felt that there was a soft spot in rough Dan , and bided her time to touch and win him . But an unexpected and decidedly alarming event upset all their plans , and banished Dan from Plumfield . Tommy , Nat , and Demi began by patronizing Dan , because the other lads rather slighted him ; but soon they each felt there was a certain fascination about the bad boy , and from looking down upon him they came to looking up , each for a different reason . Tommy admired his skill and courage ; Nat was grateful for past kindness ; and Demi regarded him as a sort of animated story book , for when he chose Dan could tell his adventures in a most interesting way . It pleased Dan to have the three favorites like him , and he exerted himself to be agreeable , which was the secret of his success . The Bhaers were surprised , but hoped the lads would have a good influence over Dan , and waited with some anxiety , trusting that no harm would come of it . Dan felt they did not quite trust him , and never showed them his best side , but took a wilful pleasure in trying their patience and thwarting their hopes as far as he dared . Mr. Bhaer did not approve of fighting , and did not think it a proof of either manliness or courage for two lads to pommel one another for the amusement of the rest . All sorts of hardy games and exercises were encouraged , and the boys were expected to take hard knocks and tumbles without whining ; but black eyes and bloody noses given for the fun of it were forbidden as a foolish and a brutal play . Dan laughed at this rule , and told such exciting tales of his own valor , and the many frays that he had been in , that some of the lads were fired with a desire to have a regular good `` mill . '' `` Do n't tell , and I 'll show you how , '' said Dan ; and , getting half a dozen of the lads together behind the barn , he gave them a lesson in boxing , which quite satisfied the ardor of most of them . Emil , however , could not submit to be beaten by a fellow younger than himself , for Emil was past fourteen and a plucky fellow , so he challenged Dan to a fight . Dan accepted at once , and the others looked on with intense interest .
What little bird carried the news to head-quarters no one ever knew , but , in the very hottest of the fray , when Dan and XXXXX were fighting like a pair of young bulldogs , and the others with fierce , excited faces were cheering them on , Mr. Bhaer walked into the ring , plucked the combatants apart with a strong hand , and said , in the voice they seldom heard , `` I ca n't allow this , boys !
Baby Bhaer Boy Dan Danny Emil Ted Teddy boxing day