managed to have a little talk with every one of the lads some time
during the day, and found that these chats gave them a good start
for the coming week.
Sympathy is a sweet thing, and it worked wonders here, for each
boy knew that Father Bhaer was interested in him, and some were
readier to open their hearts to him than to a woman, especially the
older ones, who liked to talk over their hopes and plans, man to
man. When sick or in trouble they instinctively turned to Mrs. Jo,
while the little ones made her their mother-confessor on all
occasions.
In descending from their nest, Tommy fell into the brook; being
used to it, he calmly picked himself out and retired to the house to
be dried. This left Nat to Mr. Bhaer, which was just what he
wished, and, during the stroll they took among the garden plots, he
won the lad’s heart by giving him a little “farm,” and discussing
crops with him as gravely as if the food for the family depended on
the harvest. From this pleasant topic they went to others, and Nat
had many new and helpful thoughts put into a mind that received
them as gratefully as the thirsty earth had received the warm spring
rain. All supper time he brooded over them, often fixing his eyes
on Mr. Bhaer with an inquiring look, that seemed to say, “I like
that, do it again, sir.” I don’t know whether the man understood the
child’s mute language or not, but when the boys were all gathered
together in Mrs. Bhaer’s parlor for the Sunday evening talk, he
chose a subject which might have been suggested by the walk in
the garden.
As he looked about him Nat thought it seemed more like a great
family than a school, for the lads were sitting in a wide half-circle
round the fire, some on chairs, some on the rug, Daisy and Demi
on the knees of Uncle Fritz, and Rob snugly stowed away in the
back of his mother’s easy-chair, where he could nod unseen if the
talk got beyond his depth.
Every one looked quite comfortable, and listened attentively, for
the long walk made rest agreeable, and as every boy there knew
that he would be called upon for his views, he kept his wits awake
to be ready with an answer.
“Once upon a time,” began Mr. Bhaer, in the dear old-fashioned
way, “there was a great and wise gardener who had the largest
garden ever seen. A wonderful and lovely place it was, and he
watched over it with the greatest skill and care, and raised all
manner of excellent and useful things. But weeds would grow even
in this fine garden; often the ground was bad and the good seeds
sown in it would not spring up. He had many under gardeners to
help him. Some did their duty and earned the rich wages he gave
them; but others neglected their parts and let them run to waste,
which displeased him very much. But he was very patient, and for
thousands and thousands of years he worked and waited for his
great harvest.”
“He must have been pretty old,” said Demi, who was looking
straight into Uncle Fritz’s face, as if to catch every word.
“Hush, Demi, it’s a fairy story,” whispered Daisy.
“No, I think it’s an arrygory,” said Demi.
“What is a arrygory?” called out Tommy, who was of an inquiring
turn.
“Tell him, Demi, if you can, and don’t use words unless you are
quite sure you know what they mean,” said Mr. Bhaer.
“I do know, Grandpa told me! A fable is a arrygory; it’s a story that
means something. My ‘Story without an end’ is one, because the
child in it means a soul; don’t it, Aunty?” cried Demi, eager to
prove himself right.
“That’s it, dear; and Uncle’s story is an allegory, I am quite sure; so
listen and see what it means,” returned Mrs. Jo, who always took
part in whatever was going on, and enjoyed it as much as any boy
among them.
Demi composed himself, and Mr. Bhaer went on in his best