“Three days ago.”
“And you have walked on it in this state?”
“I had a stick, and I washed it at every brook I came to, and one
woman gave me a rag to put on it.”
“Mr. Bhaer must see and dress it at once,” and Mrs. Jo hastened
into the next room, leaving the door ajar behind her, so that Dan
heard all that passed.
“Fritz, the boy has come back.”
“Who? Dan?”
“Yes, Teddy saw him at the window, and he called to him, but he
went away and hid behind the hay-cocks on the lawn. I found him
there just now fast asleep, and half dead with weariness and pain.
He ran away from Page a month ago, and has been making his way
to us ever since. He pretends that he did not mean to let us see
him, but go on to the city, and his old work, after a look at us. It is
evident, however, that the hope of being taken in has led him here
through every thing, and there he is waiting to know if you will
forgive and take him back.”
“Did he say so?”
“His eyes did, and when I waked him, he said, like a lost child,
‘Mother Bhaer, I’ve come home.’ I hadn’t the heart to scold him,
and just took him in like a poor little black sheep come back to the
fold. I may keep him, Fritz?”
“Of course you may! This proves to me that we have a hold on the
boy’s heart, and I would no more send him away now than I would
my own Rob.”
Dan heard a soft little sound, as if Mrs. Jo thanked her husband
without words, and, in the instant’s silence that followed, two great
tears that had slowly gathered in the boy’s eyes brimmed over and
rolled down his dusty cheeks. No one saw them, for he brushed
them hastily away; but in that little pause I think Dan’s old distrust
for these good people vanished for ever, the soft spot in his heart
was touched, and he felt an impetuous desire to prove himself
worthy of the love and pity that was so patient and forgiving. He
said nothing, he only wished the wish with all his might, resolved
to try in his blind boyish way, and sealed his resolution with the
tears which neither pain, fatigue, nor loneliness could wring from
him.
“Come and see his foot. I am afraid it is badly hurt, for he has kept
on three days through heat and dust, with nothing but water and an
old jacket to bind it up with. I tell you, Fritz, that boy is a brave
lad, and will make a fine man yet.”
“I hope so, for your sake, enthusiastic woman, your faith deserves
success. Now, I will go and see your little Spartan. Where is he?”
“In my room; but, dear, you’ll be very kind to him, no matter how
gruff he seems. I am sure that is the way to conquer him. He won’t
bear sternness nor much restraint, but a soft word and infinite
patience will lead him as it used to lead me.”
“As if you ever like this little rascal!” cried Mr. Bhaer, laughing,
yet half angry at the idea.
“I was in spirit, though I showed it in a different way. I seem to
know by instinct how he feels, to understand what will win and
touch him, and to sympathize with his temptations and faults. I am
glad I do, for it will help me to help him; and if I can make a good
man of this wild boy, it will be the best work of my life.”
“God bless the work, and help the worker!”
Mr. Bhaer spoke now as earnestly as she had done, and both came
in together to find Dan’s head down upon his arm, as if he was
quite overcome by sleep. But he looked up quickly, and tried to
rise as Mr. Bhaer said pleasantly,
“So you like Plumfield better than Page’s farm. Well, let us see if
we can get on more comfortably this time than we did before.”