`` I really think we ought to have kept him , if only for Teddy 's sake , he was so fond of him , and perhaps baby 's love would have done for him what we failed to do . '' `` I 've sometimes felt that myself ; but after keeping the boys in a ferment , and nearly burning up the whole family , I thought it safer to remove the firebrand , for a time at least , '' said Mr. Bhaer . `` Dinner 's ready , let me ring the bell , '' and Rob began a solo upon that instrument which made it impossible to hear one 's self speak . `` Then I may have Nan , may I ? '' asked Mrs. Jo . `` A dozen Nans if you want them , my dear , '' answered Mr. Bhaer , who had room in his fatherly heart for all the naughty neglected children in the world . When Mrs. Bhaer returned from her drive that afternoon , before she could unpack the load of little boys , without whom she seldom moved , a small girl of ten skipped out at the back of the carry-all and ran into the house , shouting , `` Hi , Daisy ! where are you ? '' Daisy came , and looked pleased to see her guest , but also a trifle alarmed , when Nan said , still prancing , as if it was impossible to keep still , `` I 'm going to stay here always , papa says I may , and my box is coming tomorrow , all my things had to be washed and mended , and your aunt came and carried me off . Is n't it great fun ? '' `` Why , yes . Did you bring your big doll ? '' asked Daisy , hoping she had , for on the last visit Nan had ravaged the baby house , and insisted on washing Blanche Matilda 's plaster face , which spoilt the poor dear 's complexion for ever . `` Yes , she 's somewhere round , '' returned Nan , with most unmaternal carelessness . `` I made you a ring coming along , and pulled the hairs out of Dobbin 's tail . Do n't you want it ? '' and Nan presented a horse-hair ring in token of friendship , as they had both vowed they would never speak to one another again when they last parted . Won by the beauty of the offering , Daisy grew more cordial , and proposed retiring to the nursery , but Nan said , `` No , I want to see the boys , and the barn , '' and ran off , swinging her hat by one string till it broke , when she left it to its fate on the grass . `` Hullo ! Nan ! ''
cried the XXXXX as she bounced in among them with the announcement , `` I 'm going to stay . ''
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