I ran away from Page . '' `` He knows it , and was sorry , but it will make no difference . Are you lame ? '' asked Mrs. Jo , as he limped on again . `` Getting over a wall a stone fell on my foot and smashed it . I do n't mind , '' and he did his best to hide the pain each step cost him . Mrs. Bhaer helped him into her own room , and , once there , he dropped into a chair , and laid his head back , white and faint with weariness and suffering . `` My poor Dan ! drink this , and then eat a little ; you are at home now , and Mother Bhaer will take good care of you . '' He only looked up at her with eyes full of gratitude , as he drank the wine she held to his lips , and then began slowly to eat the food she brought him . Each mouthful seemed to put heart into him , and presently he began to talk as if anxious to have her know all about him . `` Where have you been , Dan ? '' she asked , beginning to get out some bandages . `` I ran off more 'n a month ago . Page was good enough , but too strict . I did n't like it , so I cut away down the river with a man who was going in his boat . That 's why they could n't tell where I 'd gone . When I left the man , I worked for a couple of weeks with a farmer , but I thrashed his boy , and then the old man thrashed me , and I ran off again and walked here . '' `` All the way ? '' `` Yes , the man did n't pay me , and I would n't ask for it .
Took it out in beating the boy , '' and XXXXX laughed , yet looked ashamed , as he glanced at his ragged clothes and dirty hands .
Bhaer Dan Jo boat chair left lips month weariness weeks