`` Yes ; Demi likes quiet chaps , and I guess he and you will get on if you care about reading as he does . '' Poor Nat 's flush of pleasure deepened to a painful scarlet at those last words , and he stammered out , `` I ca n't read very well ; I never had any time ; I was always fiddling round , you know . '' `` I do n't love it myself , but I can do it well enough when I want to , '' said Tommy , after a surprised look , which said as plainly as words , `` A boy twelve years old and ca n't read ! '' `` I can read music , anyway , '' added Nat , rather ruffled at having to confess his ignorance . `` I ca n't ; '' and Tommy spoke in a respectful tone , which emboldened Nat to say firmly , `` I mean to study real hard and learn every thing I can , for I never had a chance before . Does Mr. Bhaer give hard lessons ? '' `` No ; he is n't a bit cross ; he sort of explains and gives you a boost over the hard places . Some folks do n't ; my other master did n't . If we missed a word , did n't we get raps on the head ! '' and Tommy rubbed his own pate as if it tingled yet with the liberal supply of raps , the memory of which was the only thing he brought away after a year with his `` other master . '' `` I think I could read this , '' said Nat , who had been examining the books . `` Read a bit , then ; I 'll help you , '' resumed Tommy , with a patronizing air . 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 XXXXX , relapsing into a `` Silasism '' with the last word .
Bhaer Demi Nat Silas Tommy a-goin boy-fashion old raps year