We must be very kind to him . ' Bess did not ask the question , but seemed content with her solution of the mystery -- which was so true that Mrs Jo confirmed it by a nod , and let her go away believing that some tender loss and sorrow wrought the great change all saw in Dan , and made him so slow to speak concerning the past year . But Ted was less easily satisfied , and this unusual reticence goaded him to desperation . His mother had warned him not to trouble Dan with questions till he was quite well ; but this prospect of approaching departure made him resolve to have a full , clear , and satisfactory account of the adventures which he felt sure must have been thrilling , from stray words Dan let fall in his fever . So one day when the coast was clear , Master Ted volunteered to amuse the invalid , and did so in the following manner : ` Look here , old boy , if you do n't want me to read , you 've got to talk , and tell me all about Kansas , and the farms , and that part . The Montana business I know , but you seem to forget what went before . Brace up , and let 's have it , ' he began , with an abruptness which roused Dan from a brown study most effectually . ` No , I do n't forget ; it is n't interesting to anyone but myself . I did n't see any farms -- gave it up , ' he said slowly . ` Why ? ' ` Other things to do . ' ` What ? ' ` Well , brush-making for one thing . ' ` Do n't chaff a fellow . Tell true . ' ' I truly did . ' ` What for ? ' ` To keep out of mischief , as much as anything . ' ` Well , of all the queer things -- and you 've done a lot -- that 's the queerest , ' cried Ted , taken aback at this disappointing discovery . But he did n't mean to give up yet , and began again .
` What XXXXX , Dan ? '
Master Mrs abruptness anyone anything manner mischief mother mystery study