第8章

“Hemademedothesamethingonce，“saidEmil，asifconfessingacrimeofthedeepestdye。

“Andyouhithim？dearoldFatherBhaer？Bythunder，I’djustliketoseeyoudoitnow!“saidNed，collaringEmilinafitofrighteouswrath。

“Itwaseversolongago。I’dratherhavemyheadcutoffthandoitnow，“andEmilmildlylaidNedonhisbackinsteadofcuffinghim，ashewouldhavefeltithisdutytodoonanylesssolemnoccasion。

“Howcouldyou？“saidDemi，appalledattheidea。

“Iwashoppingmadatthetime，andthoughtIshouldn’tmindabit，ratherlikeitperhaps。ButwhenI’dhituncleonegoodcrack，everythinghehadeverdoneformecameintomyheadallatoncesomehow，andIcouldn’tgoon。Nosir!Ifhe’dlaidmedownandwalkedonme，Iwouldn’thaveminded，Ifeltsomean，“andEmilgavehimselfagoodthumpinthechesttoexpresshissenseofremorseforthepast。

“Nat’scryinglikeanything，andfeelsnoendsorry，sodon’tlet’ssayawordaboutit；willwe？“saidtender-heartedTommy。

“Ofcoursewewon’t，butit’sawfultotelllies，“andDemilookedasifhefoundtheawfulnessmuchincreasedwhenthepunishmentfellnotuponthesinner，buthisbestUncleFritz。

“Supposeweallclearout，soNatcancutupstairsifhewantsto，“

proposedFranz，andledthewaytothebarn，theirrefugeintroubloustimes。

Natdidnotcometodinner，butMrs。Jotooksomeuptohim，andsaidatenderword，whichdidhimgood，thoughhecouldnotlookather。Byandbytheladsplayingoutsideheardtheviolin，andsaidamongthemselves：

“He’sallrightnow。“Hewasallright，butfeltshyaboutgoingdown，tillopeninghisdoortoslipawayintothewoods，hefoundDaisysittingonthestairswithneitherworknordoll，onlyherlittlehandkerchiefinherhand，asifshehadbeenmourningforhercaptivefriend。

“I’mgoingtowalk；wanttocome？“askedNat，tryingtolookasifnothingwasthematter，yetfeelingverygratefulforhersilentsympathy，becausehefanciedeveryonemustlookuponhimasawretch。

“Ohyes!“andDaisyranforherhat，proudtobechosenasacompanionbyoneofthebigboys。

Theotherssawthemgo，butnoonefollowed，forboyshaveagreatdealmoredelicacythantheygetcreditfor，andtheladsinstinctivelyfeltthat，whenindisgrace，gentlelittleDaisywastheirmostcongenialfriend。

ThewalkdidNatgood，andhecamehomequieterthanusual，butlookingcheerfulagain，andhungalloverwithdaisy-chainsmadebyhislittleplaymatewhilehelayonthegrassandtoldherstories。

Noonesaidawordaboutthesceneofthemorning，butitseffectwasallthemorelastingforthatreason，perhaps。Nattriedhisverybest，andfoundmuchhelp，notonlyfromtheearnestlittleprayersheprayedtohisFriendinheaven，butalsointhepatientcareoftheearthlyfriendwhosekindhandhenevertouchedwithoutrememberingthatithadwillinglybornepainforhissake。

“What’sthematter，Daisy？“

“Theboyswon’tletmeplaywiththem。“

“Whynot？“

“Theysaygirlscan’tplayfootball。“

“Theycan，forI’vedoneit!“andMrs。Bhaerlaughedattheremembranceofcertainyouthfulfrolics。

“IknowIcanplay；DemiandIusedto，andhavenicetimes，buthewon’tletmenowbecausetheotherboyslaughathim，“andDaisylookeddeeplygrievedatherbrother’shardnessofheart。

“Onthewhole，Ithinkheisright，deary。It’sallverywellwhenyoutwoarealone，butitistooroughagameforyouwithadozenboys；soI’dfindsomenicelittleplayformyself。“

“I’mtiredofplayingalone!“andDaisy’stonewasverymournful。

“I’llplaywithyoubyandby，butjustnowImustflyaboutandgetthingsreadyforatripintotown。Youshallgowithmeandseemamma，andifyoulikeyoucanstaywithher。“

“IshouldliketogoandseeherandBabyJosy，butI’drathercomeback，please。Demiwouldmissme，andIlovetobehere，Aunty。“

“Youcan’tgetonwithoutyourDemi，canyou？“andAuntJolookedasifshequiteunderstoodtheloveofthelittlegirlforheronlybrother。

“’CourseIcan’t；we’retwins，andsoweloveeachothermorethanotherpeople，“answeredDaisy，withabrighteningface，forsheconsideredbeingatwinoneofthehighesthonorsshecouldeverreceive。

“Now，whatwillyoudowithyourlittleselfwhileIflyaround？“askedMrs。Bhaer，whowaswhiskingpilesoflinenintoawardrobewithgreatrapidity。

“Idon’tknow，I’mtiredofdollsandthings；Iwishyou’dmakeupanewplayforme，AuntyJo，“saidDaisy，swinginglistlesslyonthedoor。

“Ishallhavetothinkofabrandnewone，anditwilltakemesometime；sosupposeyougodownandseewhatAsiahasgotforyourlunch，“

suggestedMrs。Bhaer，thinkingthatwouldbeagoodwayinwhichtodisposeofthelittlehindranceforatime。

“Yes，IthinkI’dlikethat，ifsheisn’tcross，“andDaisyslowlydepartedtothekitchen，whereAsia，theblackcook，reignedundisturbed。

Infiveminutes，Daisywasbackagain，withawide-awakeface，abitofdoughinherhandandadabofflouronherlittlenose。

“Ohaunty!PleasecouldIgoandmakegingersnapsandthings？Asiaisn’tcross，andshesaysImay，anditwouldbesuchfun，pleasedo，“criedDaisy，allinonebreath。

“Justthething，goandwelcome，makewhatyoulike，andstayaslongasyouplease，“answeredMrs。Bhaer，muchrelieved，forsometimestheonelittlegirlwashardertoamusethanthedozenboys。

Daisyranoff，andwhilesheworked，AuntJorackedherbrainforanewplay。Allofasuddensheseemedtohaveanidea，forshesmiledtoherself，slammedthedoorsofthewardrobe，andwalkedbrisklyaway，saying，“I’lldoit，ifit’sapossiblething!“

Whatitwasnoonefoundoutthatday，butAuntJo’seyestwinkledsowhenshetoldDaisyshehadthoughtofanewplay，andwasgoingtobuyit，thatDaisywasmuchexcitedandaskedquestionsallthewayintotown，withoutgettinganswersthattoldheranything。Shewasleftathometoplaywiththenewbaby，anddelighthermother’seyes，whileAuntJowentoffshopping。Whenshecamebackwithallsortsofqueerparcelsincornersofthecarry-all，DaisywassofullofcuriositythatshewantedtogobacktoPlumfieldatonce。Butherauntwouldnotbehurried，andmadealongcallinmamma’sroom，sittingonthefloorwithbabyinherlap，makingMrs。Brookelaughatthepranksoftheboys，andallsortsofdrollnonsense。

HowheraunttoldthesecretDaisycouldnotimagine，buthermotherevidentlyknewit，forshesaid，asshetiedonthelittlebonnetandkissedtherosylittlefaceinside，“Beagoodchild，myDaisy，andlearnthenicenewplayauntyhasgotforyou。It’samostusefulandinterestingone，anditisverykindofhertoplayitwithyou，becauseshedoesnotlikeitverywellherself。“

Thislastspeechmadethetwoladieslaughheartily，andincreasedDaisy’sbewilderment。Astheydroveawaysomethingrattledinthebackofthecarriage。

“What’sthat？“askedDaisy，prickingupherears。

“Thenewplay，“answeredMrs。Jo，solemnly。

“Whatisitmadeof？“criedDaisy。

“Iron，tin，wood，brass，sugar，salt，coal，andahundredotherthings。“

“Howstrange!Whatcolorisit？“

“Allsortsofcolors。“

“Isitlarge？“

“Partofitis，andapartisn’t。“

“DidIeverseeone？“

“Eversomany，butneveronesoniceasthis。“

“Oh!whatcanitbe？Ican’twait。WhenshallIseeit？“andDaisybouncedupanddownwithimpatience。

“To-morrowmorning，afterlessons。“

“Isitfortheboys，too？“

“No，allforyouandBess。Theboyswillliketoseeit，andwanttoplayonepartofit。Butyoucandoasyoulikeaboutlettingthem。“

“I’llletDemi，ifhewantsto。“

“Nofearthattheywon’tallwantto，especiallyStuffy，“andMrs。Bhaer’seyestwinkledmorethaneverasshepattedaqueerknobbybundleinherlap。

“Letmefeeljustonce，“prayedDaisy。

“Notafeel；you’dguessinaminuteandspoilthefun。“

Daisygroanedandthensmiledalloverherface，forthroughalittleholeinthepapershecaughtaglimpseofsomethingbright。

“HowcanIwaitsolong？Couldn’tIseeittoday？“

“Ohdear，no!Ithasgottobearranged，andeversomanypartsfixedintheirplaces。IpromisedUncleTeddythatyoushouldn’tseeittillitwasallinapple-pieorder。“

“Ifuncleknowsaboutitthenitmustbesplendid!“criedDaisy，clappingherhands；forthiskind，rich，jollyuncleofherswasasgoodasafairygodmothertothechildren，andwasalwaysplanningmerrysurprises，prettygifts，anddrollamusementsforthem。

“Yes；Teddywentandboughtitwithme，andwehadsuchfunintheshopchoosingthedifferentparts。Hewouldhaveeverythingfineandlarge，andmylittleplangotregularlysplendidwhenhetookhold。Youmustgivehimyourverybestkisswhenhecomes，forheisthekindestunclethateverwentandboughtacharminglittlecoo­；Blessme!Inearlytoldyouwhatitwas!“andMrs。Bhaercutthatmostinterestingwordshortoffinthemiddle，andbegantolookoverherbills，asifafraidshewouldletthecatoutofthebagifshetalkedanymore。Daisyfoldedherhandswithanairofresignation，andsatquitestilltryingtothinkwhatplayhada“coo“init。

Whentheygothomesheeyedeverybundlethatwastakenout，andonelargeheavyone，whichFranztookstraightupstairsandhidinthenursery，filledherwithamazementandcuriosity。Somethingverymysteriouswentonuptherethatafternoon，forFranzwashammering，andAsiatrottingupanddown，andAuntJoflyingaroundlikeawill-o’-the-wisp，withallsortofthingsunderherapron，whilelittleTed，whowastheonlychildadmitted，becausehecouldn’ttalkplain，babbledandlaughed，andtriedtotellwhatthe“sumpinpitty“was。

AllthismadeDaisyhalf-wild，andherexcitementspreadamongtheboys，whoquiteoverwhelmedMotherBhaerwithoffersofassistance，whichshedeclinedbyquotingtheirownwordstoDaisy：

“Girlscan’tplaywithboys。ThisisforDaisy，andBess，andme，sowedon’twantyou。“Whereupontheyounggentlemenmeeklyretired，andinvitedDaisytoagameofmarbles，horse，football，anythingsheliked，withasuddenwarmthandpolitenesswhichastonishedherinnocentlittlesoul。

Thankstotheseattentions，shegotthroughtheafternoon，wentearlytobed，andnextmorningdidherlessonswithanenergywhichmadeUncleFritzwishthatanewgamecouldbeinventedeveryday。Quiteathrillpervadedtheschool-roomwhenDaisywasdismissedateleveno’clock，foreveryoneknewthatnowshewasgoingtohavethenewandmysteriousplay。

Manyeyesfollowedherassheranaway，andDemi’smindwassodistractedbythiseventthatwhenFranzaskedhimwherethedesertofSaharawas，hemournfullyreplied，“Inthenursery，“andthewholeschoollaughedathim。

“AuntJo，I’vedoneallmylessons，andIcan’twaitonesingleminutemore!“criedDaisy，flyingintoMrs。Bhaer’sroom。

“It’sallready，comeon；“andtuckingTedunderonearm，andherworkbasketundertheother，AuntJopromptlyledthewayupstairs。

“Idon’tseeanything，“saidDaisy，staringaboutherasshegotinsidethenurserydoor。

“Doyouhearanything？“askedAuntJo，catchingTedbackbyhislittlefrockashewasmakingstraightforonesideoftheroom。

Daisydidhearanoddcrackling，andthenapurrylittlesoundasofakettlesinging。Thesenoisescamefrombehindacurtaindrawnbeforeadeepbaywindow。Daisysnatcheditback，gaveonejoyful，“Oh!“andthenstoodgazingwithdelightat­；whatdoyouthink？

Awideseatranroundthethreesidesofthewindow；ononesidehungandstoodallsortsoflittlepotsandpans，gridironsandskillets；ontheothersideasmalldinnerandteaset；andonthemiddlepartacooking-stove。

Notatinone，thatwasofnouse，butarealironstove，bigenoughtocookforalargefamilyofveryhungrydolls。Butthebestofitwasthatarealfireburnedinit，realsteamcameoutofthenoseofthelittletea-kettle，andthelidofthelittleboileractuallydancedajig，thewaterinsidebubbledsohard。Apaneofglasshadbeentakenoutandreplacedbyasheetoftin，withaholeforthesmallfunnel，andrealsmokewentsailingawayoutsidesonaturally，thatitdidone’sheartgoodtoseeit。Theboxofwoodwithahodofcharcoalstoodnearby；justabovehungdust-pan，brushandbroom；alittlemarketbasketwasonthelowtableatwhichDaisyusedtoplay，andoverthebackofherlittlechairhungawhiteapronwithabib，andadrollmobcap。Thesunshoneinasifheenjoyedthefun，thelittlestoveroaredbeautifully，thekettlesteamed，thenewtinssparkledonthewalls，theprettychinastoodintemptingrows，anditwasaltogetherascheeryandcompleteakitchenasanychildcoulddesire。

Daisystoodquitestillafterthefirstglad“Oh!“buthereyeswentquicklyfromonecharmingobjecttoanother，brighteningastheylooked，tilltheycametoAuntJo’smerryface；theretheystoppedasthehappylittlegirlhuggedher，sayinggratefully：

“Ohaunty，it’sasplendidnewplay!CanIreallycookatthedearstove，andhavepartiesandmess，andsweep，andmakefiresthattrulyburn？I

likeitsomuch!Whatmadeyouthinkofit？“

“YourlikingtomakegingersnapswithAsiamademethinkofit，“saidMrs。Bhaer，holdingDaisy，whofriskedasifshewouldfly。“IknewAsiawouldn’tletyoumessinherkitchenveryoften，anditwouldn’tbesafeatthisfireuphere，soIthoughtI’dseeifIcouldfindalittlestoveforyou，andteachyoutocook；thatwouldbefun，andusefultoo。SoI

travelledroundamongthetoyshops，buteverythinglargecosttoomuchandIwasthinkingIshouldhavetogiveitup，whenImetUncleTeddy。

AssoonasheknewwhatIwasabout，hesaidhewantedtohelp，andinsistedonbuyingthebiggesttoystovewecouldfind。Iscolded，butheonlylaughed，andteasedmeaboutmycookingwhenwewereyoung，andsaidImustteachBessaswellasyou，andwentonbuyingallsortsofnicelittlethingsformy’cookingclass’ashecalledit。“