weeks later came another letter, saying that Dan had run away, and
nothing had been heard of him, whereat they all looked sober, and
Mr. Bhaer said,
“Perhaps I ought to have given him another chance.”
Mrs. Bhaer, however, nodded wisely and answered, “Don’t be
troubled, Fritz; the boy will come back to us, I’m sure of it.”
But time went on and no Dan came.
CHAPTER VII NAUGHTY NAN
“Fritz, I’ve got a new idea,” cried Mrs. Bhaer, as she met her
husband one day after school.
“Well, my dear, what is it?” and he waited willingly to hear the
new plan, for some of Mrs. Jo’s ideas were so droll, it was
impossible to help laughing at them, though usually they were
quite sensible, and he was glad to carry them out.
“Daisy needs a companion, and the boys would be all the better for
another girl among them; you know we believe in bringing up little
men and women together, and it is high time we acted up to our
belief. They pet and tyrannize over Daisy by turns, and she is
getting spoilt. Then they must learn gentle ways, and improve their
manners, and having girls about will do it better than any thing
else.”
“You are right, as usual. Now, who shall we have?” asked Mr.
Bhaer, seeing by the look in her eye that Mrs. Jo had some one all
ready to propose.
“Little Annie Harding.”
“What! Naughty Nan, as the lads call her?” cried Mr. Bhaer,
looking very much amused.
“Yes, she is running wild at home since her mother died, and is too
bright a child to be spoilt by servants. I have had my eye on her for
some time, and when I met her father in town the other day I asked
him why he did not send her to school. He said he would gladly if
he could find as good a school for girls as ours was for boys. I
know he would rejoice to have her come; so suppose we drive over
this afternoon and see about it.”
“Have not you cares enough now, my Jo, without this little gypsy
to torment you?” asked Mr. Bhaer, patting the hand that lay on his
arm.
“Oh dear, no,” said Mother Bhaer, briskly. “I like it, and never was
happier than since I had my wilderness of boys. You see, Fritz, I
feel a great sympathy for Nan, because I was such a naughty child
myself that I know all about it. She is full of spirits, and only needs
to be taught what to do with them to be as nice a little girl as
Daisy. Those quick wits of hers would enjoy lessons if they were
rightly directed, and what is now a tricksy midget would soon
become a busy, happy child. I know how to manage her, for I
remember how my blessed mother managed me, and ”
“And if you succeed half as well as she did, you will have done a
magnificent work,” interrupted Mr. Bhaer, who labored under the
delusion that Mrs. B. was the best and most charming woman
alive.
“Now, if you make fun of my plan I’ll give you bad coffee for a
week, and then where are you, sir?” cried Mrs. Jo, tweaking him
by the ear just as if he was one of the boys.
“Won’t Daisy’s hair stand erect with horror at Nan’s wild ways?”
asked Mr. Bhaer, presently, when Teddy had swarmed up his
waistcoat, and Rob up his back, for they always flew at their father
the minute school was done.
“At first, perhaps, but it will do Posy good. She is getting prim and
Bettyish, and needs stirring up a bit. She always has a good time
when Nan comes over to play, and the two will help each other
without knowing it. Dear me, half the science of teaching is
knowing how much children do for one another, and when to mix
them.”
“I only hope she won’t turn out another firebrand.”
“My poor Dan! I never can quite forgive myself for letting him
go,” sighed Mrs. Bhaer.
At the sound of the name, little Teddy, who had never forgotten his