`` I 'll take care of them for you , if you will tell me how , and they can live in my turtle-tank just as well as not , '' said Demi , who found them more interesting even that his beloved slow turtles . So Dan gave him directions about the wants and habits of the crabs , and Demi bore them away to introduce them to their new home and neighbors . `` What a good boy he is ! '' said Dan , carefully settling the first butterfly , and remembering that Demi had given up his walk to bring it to him . `` He ought to be , for a great deal has been done to make him so . '' `` He 's had folks to tell him things , and to help him ; I have n't , '' said Dan , with a sigh , thinking of his neglected childhood , a thing he seldom did , and feeling as if he had not had fair play somehow . `` I know it , dear , and for that reason I do n't expect as much from you as from Demi , though he is younger ; you shall have all the help that we can give you now , and I hope to teach you how to help yourself in the best way . Have you forgotten what Father Bhaer told you when you were here before , about wanting to be good , and asking God to help you ? '' `` No , ma'am , '' very low . `` Do you try that way still ? '' `` No , ma'am , '' lower still . `` Will you do it every night to please me ? '' `` Yes , ma'am , '' very soberly . `` I shall depend on it , and I think I shall know if you are faithful to your promise , for these things always show to people who believe in them , though not a word is said . Now here is a pleasant story about a boy who hurt his foot worse than you did yours ; read it , and see how bravely he bore his troubles . '' She put that charming little book , `` The Crofton Boys , '' into his hands , and left him for an hour , passing in and out from time to time that he might not feel lonely . Dan did not love to read , but soon got so interested that he was surprised when the boys came home . Daisy brought him a nosegay of wild flowers , and Nan insisted on helping bring him his supper , as he lay on the sofa with the door open into the dining-room , so that he could see the lads at table , and they could nod socially to him over their bread and butter . Mr. Bhaer carried him away to his bed early , and Teddy came in his night-gown to say good-night , for he went to his little nest with the birds . `` I want to say my prayers to Danny ; may I ? ''
he asked ; and when his mother said , `` Yes , '' the little fellow knelt down by Dan 's bed , and folding his chubby XXXXX , said softly , `` Pease Dod bess everybody , and hep me to be dood . ''
Boys book boy dining-room hands neighbors nest reason troubles word