第4章

Theseweretheboysandtheylivedtogetherashappyastwelveladscould，studyingandplaying，workingandsquabbling，fightingfaultsandcultivatingvirtuesinthegoodold-fashionedway。Boysatotherschoolsprobablylearnedmorefrombooks，butlessofthatbetterwisdomwhichmakesgoodmen。Latin，Greek，andmathematicswereallverywell，butinProfessorBhaer’sopinion，selfknowledge，self-help，andself-controlweremoreimportant，andhetriedtoteachthemcarefully。Peopleshooktheirheadssometimesathisideas，evenwhiletheyownedthattheboysimprovedwonderfullyinmannersandmorals。Butthen，asMrs。JosaidtoNat，“itwasanoddschool。“CHAPTERIIISUNDAY

ThemomentthebellrangnextmorningNatflewoutofbed，anddressedhimselfwithgreatsatisfactioninthesuitofclotheshefoundonthechair。Theywerenotnew，beinghalf-worngarmentsofoneofthewell-to-doboys；butMrs。Bhaerkeptallsuchcast-offfeathersforthepickedrobinswhostrayedintohernest。TheywerehardlyonwhenTommyappearedinahighstateofcleancollar，andescortedNatdowntobreakfast。

Thesunwasshiningintothedining-roomonthewell-spreadtable，andtheflockofhungry，heartyladswhogatheredroundit。Natobservedthattheyweremuchmoreorderlythantheyhadbeenthenightbefore，andeveryonestoodsilentlybehindhischairwhilelittleRob，standingbesidehisfatherattheheadofthetable，foldedhishands，reverentlybenthiscurlyhead，andsoftlyrepeatedashortgraceinthedevoutGermanfashion，whichMr。Bhaerlovedandtaughthislittlesontohonor。ThentheyallsatdowntoenjoytheSunday-morningbreakfastofcoffee，steak，andbakedpotatoes，insteadofthebreadandmilkfarewithwhichtheyusuallysatisfiedtheiryoungappetites。Therewasmuchpleasanttalkwhiletheknivesandforksrattledbriskly，forcertainSundaylessonsweretobelearned，theSundaywalksettled，andplansfortheweekdiscussed。Ashelistened，Natthoughtitseemedasifthisdaymustbeaverypleasantone，forhelovedquiet，andtherewasacheerfulsortofhushovereverythingthatpleasedhimverymuch；because，inspiteofhisroughlife，theboypossessedthesensitivenerveswhichbelongtoamusic-lovingnature。

“Now，mylads，getyourmorningjobsdone，andletmefindyoureadyforchurchwhenthe’buscomesround，“saidFatherBhaer，andsettheexamplebygoingintotheschool-roomtogetbooksreadyforthemorrow。

Everyonescatteredtohisorhertask，foreachhadsomelittledailyduty，andwasexpectedtoperformitfaithfully。Somebroughtwoodandwater，brushedthesteps，orranerrandsforMrs。Bhaer。Othersfedthepetanimals，anddidchoresaboutthebarnwithFranz。Daisywashedthecups，andDemiwipedthem，forthetwinslikedtoworktogether，andDemihadbeentaughttomakehimselfusefulinthelittlehouseathome。EvenBabyTeddyhadhissmalljobtodo，andtrottedtoandfro，puttingnapkinsaway，andpushingchairsintotheirplaces。Forhalfandhourtheladsbuzzedaboutlikeahiveofbees，thenthe’busdroveround，FatherBhaerandFranzwiththeeightolderboyspiledin，andawaytheywentforathree-miledrivetochurchintown。

BecauseofthetroublesomecoughNatpreferedtostayathomewiththefoursmallboys，andspentahappymorninginMrs。Bhaer’sroom，listeningtothestoriesshereadthem，learningthehymnsshetaughtthem，andthenquietlyemployinghimselfpastingpicturesintoanoldledger。

“ThisismySundaycloset，“shesaid，showinghimshelvesfilledwithpicture-books，paint-boxes，architecturalblocks，littlediaries，andmaterialsforletter-writing。“IwantmyboystoloveSunday，tofinditapeaceful，pleasantday，whentheycanrestfromcommonstudyandplay，yetenjoyquietpleasures，andlearn，insimpleways，lessonsmoreimportantthananytaughtinschool。Doyouunderstandme？“sheasked，watchingNat’sattentiveface。

“Youmeantobegood？“hesaid，afterhesitatingaminute。

“Yes；tobegood，andtolovetobegood。Itishardworksometimes，Iknowverywell；butweallhelponeanother，andsowegeton。ThisisoneofthewaysinwhichItrytohelpmyboys，“andshetookdownathickbook，whichseemedhalf-fullofwriting，andopenedatapageonwhichtherewasonewordatthetop。

“Why，that’smyname!“criedNat，lookingbothsurprisedandinterested。

“Yes；Ihaveapageforeachboy。Ikeepalittleaccountofhowhegetsonthroughtheweek，andSundaynightIshowhimtherecord。IfitisbadIamsorryanddisappointed，ifitisgoodIamgladandproud；

but，whicheveritis，theboysknowIwanttohelpthem，andtheytrytodotheirbestforloveofmeandFatherBhaer。“

“Ishouldthinktheywould，“saidNat，catchingaglimpseofTommy’snameoppositehisown，andwonderingwhatwaswrittenunderit。

Mrs。Bhaersawhiseyeonthewords，andshookherhead，saying，assheturnedaleaf­；

“No，Idon’tshowmyrecordstoanybuttheonetowhomeachbelongs。

Icallthismyconsciencebook；andonlyyouandIwilleverknowwhatistobewrittenonthepagebelowyourname。WhetheryouwillbepleasedorashamedtoreaditnextSundaydependsonyourself。Ithinkitwillbeagoodreport；atanyrate，Ishalltrytomakethingseasyforyouinthisnewplace，andshallbequitecontentedifyoukeepourfewrules，livehappilywiththeboys，andlearnsomething。“

“I’lltryma’am；“andNat’sthinfaceflushedupwiththeearnestnessofhisdesiretomakeMrs。Bhaer“gladandproud，“not“sorryanddisappointed。“

“Itmustbeagreatdealoftroubletowriteaboutsomany，“headded，assheshutherbookwithanencouragingpatontheshoulder。

“Nottome，forIreallydon’tknowwhichIlikebest，writingorboys，“

shesaid，laughingtoseeNatstarewithastonishmentatthelastitem。

“Yes，Iknowmanypeoplethinkboysareanuisance，butthatisbecausetheydon’tunderstandthem。Ido；andIneversawtheboyyetwhomIcouldnotgetoncapitallywithafterIhadoncefoundthesoftspotinhisheart。

Blessme，Icouldn’tgetonatallwithoutmyflockofdear，noisy，naughty，harum-scarumlittlelads，couldI，myTeddy？“andMrs。Bhaerhuggedtheyoungrogue，justintimetosavethebiginkstandfromgoingintohispocket。

Nat，whohadneverheardanythinglikethisbefore，reallydidnotknowwhetherMotherBhaerwasatriflecrazy，orthemostdelightfulwomanhehadevermet。Heratherinclinedtothelatteropinion，inspiteofherpeculiartastes，forshehadawayoffillingupafellow’splatebeforeheasked，oflaughingathisjokes，gentlytweakinghimbytheear，orclappinghimontheshoulder，thatNatfoundveryengaging。

“Now，Ithinkyouwouldliketogointotheschool-roomandpractisesomeofthehymnswearetosingto-night，“shesaid，rightlyguessingthethingofallothersthathewantedtodo。

Alonewiththebelovedviolinandthemusic-bookproppedupbeforehiminthesunnywindow，whileSpringbeautyfilledtheworldoutside，andSabbathsilencereignedwithin，Natenjoyedanhourortwoofgenuinehappiness，learningthesweetoldtunes，andforgettingthehardpastinthecheerfulpresent。

Whenthechurch-goerscamebackanddinnerwasover，everyoneread，wrotelettershome，saidtheirSundaylessons，ortalkedquietlytooneanother，sittinghereandthereaboutthehouse。Atthreeo’clocktheentirefamilyturnedouttowalk，foralltheactiveyoungbodiesmusthaveexercise；

andinthesewalkstheactiveyoungmindsweretaughttoseeandlovetheprovidenceofGodinthebeautifulmiracleswhichNaturewasworkingbeforetheireyes。Mr。Bhaeralwayswentwiththem，andinhissimple，fatherlyway，foundforhisflock，“Sermonsinstones，booksintherunningbrooks，andgoodineverything。“

Mrs。BhaerwithDaisyandherowntwoboysdroveintotown，topaytheweeklyvisittoGrandma，whichwasbusyMotherBhaer’soneholidayandgreatestpleasure。Natwasnotstrongenoughforthelongwalk，andaskedtostayathomewithTommy，whokindlyofferedtodothehonorsofPlumfield。

“You’veseenthehouse，socomeoutandhavealookatthegarden，andthebarn，andthemenagerie，“saidTommy，whentheywereleftalonewithAsia，toseethattheydidn’tgetintomischief；for，thoughTommywasoneofthebest-meaningboyswhoeveradornedknickerbockers，accidentsofthemostdirefulnaturewerealwayshappeningtohim，noonecouldexactlytellhow。

“Whatisyourmenagerie？“askedNat，astheytrottedalongthedrivethatencircledthehouse。

“Weallhavepets，yousee，andwekeep’eminthecorn-barn，andcallitthemenagerie。Hereyouare。Isn’tmyguinea-pigabeauty？“andTommyproudlypresentedoneoftheugliestspecimensofthatpleasinganimalthatNateversaw。

“Iknowaboywithadozenof’em，andhesaidhe’dgivemeone，onlyIhadn’tanyplacetokeepit，soIcouldn’thaveit。Itwaswhite，withblackspots，aregularrouser，andmaybeIcouldgetitforyouifyou’dlikeit，“saidNat，feelingitwouldbeadelicatereturnforTommy’sattentions。

“I’dlikeiteversomuch，andI’llgiveyouthisone，andtheycanlivetogetheriftheydon’tfight。ThosewhitemiceareRob’s，Franzgave’emtohim。TherabbitsareNed’s，andthebantamsoutsideareStuffy’s。

ThatboxthingisDemi’sturtle-tank，onlyhehasn’tbeguntoget’emyet。

Lastyearhehadsixty-two，whackerssomeof’em。Hestampedoneof’emwithhisnameandtheyear，andletitgo；andhesaysmaybehewillfinditeversolongafterandknowit。Hereadaboutaturtlebeingfoundthathadamarkonitthatshoweditmustbehundredsofyearsold。Demi’ssuchafunnychap。“

“Whatisinthisbox？“askedNat，stoppingbeforealargedeepone，half-fullofearth。

“Oh，that’sJackFord’sworm-shop。Hedigsheapsof’emandkeeps’emhere，andwhenwewantanytogoafishingwith，webuysomeofhim。Itsaveslotsoftrouble，onlyhechargedtoomuchfor’em。Why，lasttimewetradedIhadtopaytwocentsadozen，andthengotlittleones。Jack’smeansometimes，andItoldhimI’ddigformyselfifhedidn’tlowerhisprices。Now，Iowntwohens，thosegrayoneswithtopknots，first-rateonestheyaretoo，andIsellMrs。Bhaertheeggs，butIneveraskhermorethantwenty-fivecentsadozen，never!I’dbeashamedtodoit，“criedTommy，withaglanceofscornattheworm-shop。

“Whoownsthedogs？“askedNat，muchinterestedinthesecommercialtransactions，andfeelingthatT。Bangswasamanwhomitwouldbeaprivilegeandapleasuretopatronize。

“ThebigdogisEmil’s。HisnameisChristopherColumbus。Mrs。BhaernamedhimbecauseshelikestosayChristopherColumbus，andnoonemindsitifshemeansthedog，“answeredTommy，inthetoneofashow-mandisplayinghismenagerie。“ThewhitepupisRob’s，andtheyellowoneisTeddy’s。

Amanwasgoingtodrowntheminourpond，andPaBhaerwouldn’tlethim。

Theydowellenoughforthelittlechaps，Idon’tthinkmuchof’emmyself。

TheirnamesareCastorandPollux。“

“I’dlikeTobythedonkeybest，ifIcouldhaveanything，it’ssonicetoride，andhe’ssolittleandgood，“saidNat，rememberingthewearytrampshehadtakenonhisowntiredfeet。

“Mr。LauriesenthimouttoMrs。Bhaer，sosheshouldn’tcarryTeddyonherbackwhenwegotowalk。We’reallfondofToby，andhe’safirst-ratedonkey，sir。Thosepigeonsbelongtothewholelotofus，weeachhaveourpetone，andgosharesinallthelittleonesastheycomealong。Squabsaregreatfun；thereain’tanynow，butyoucangoupandtakealookattheoldfellows，whileIseeifCockletopandGrannyhavelaidanyeggs。“

Natclimbedupaladder，puthisheadthroughatrapdoorandtookalonglookattheprettydovesbillingandcooingintheirspaciousloft。

Someontheirnests，somebustlinginandout，andsomesittingattheirdoors，whilemanywentflyingfromthesunnyhousetoptothestraw-strewnfarmyard，wheresixsleekcowswereplacidlyruminating。

“Everybodyhasgotsomethingbutme。IwishIhadadove，orahen，orevenaturtle，allmyown，“thoughtNat，feelingverypoorashesawtheinterestingtreasuresoftheotherboys。“Howdoyougetthesethings？“

heasked，whenhejoinedTommyinthebarn。

“Wefind’emorbuy’em，orfolksgive’emtous。Myfathersendsmemine；butassoonasIgeteggmoneyenough，I’mgoingtobuyapairofducks。There’sanicelittlepondfor’embehindthebarn，andpeoplepaywellforduck-eggs，andthelittleduckiesarepretty，andit’sfuntosee’emswim，“saidTommy，withtheairofamillionaire。

Natsighed，forhehadneitherfathernormoney，nothinginthewideworldbutanoldemptypocketbook，andtheskillthatlayinhistenfingertips。Tommyseemedtounderstandthequestionandthesighwhichfollowedhisanswer，forafteramomentofdeepthought，hesuddenlybrokeout，­；

“Lookhere，I’lltellyouwhatI’lldo。Ifyouwillhunteggsforme，Ihateit，I’llgiveyouoneeggoutofeverydozen。Youkeepaccount，andwhenyou’vehadtwelve，MotherBhaerwillgiveyoutwenty-fivecentsfor’em，andthenyoucanbuywhatyoulike，don’tyousee？“

“I’lldoit!Whatakindfelleryouare，Tommy!“criedNat，quitedazzledbythisbrilliantoffer。