He 's so absent-minded and goodnatured , he lets those boys ride over him roughshod . I agreed to do his washing and mending , but he forgets to give out his things and I forget to look them over , so he comes to a sad pass sometimes . '' `` Let me mend them , '' said I. `` I do n't mind it , and he need n't know . I 'd like to , he 's so kind to me about bringing my letters and lending books . '' So I have got his things in order , and knit heels into two pairs of the socks , for they were boggled out of shape with his queer darns . Nothing was said , and I hoped he would n't find it out , but one day last week he caught me at it . Hearing the lessons he gives to others has interested and amused me so much that I took a fancy to learn , for Tina runs in and out , leaving the door open , and I can hear . I had been sitting near this door , finishing off the last sock , and trying to understand what he said to a new scholar , who is as stupid as I am . The girl had gone , and I thought he had also , it was so still , and I was busily gabbling over a verb , and rocking to and fro in a most absurd way , when a little crow made me look up , and there was Mr. Bhaer looking and laughing quietly , while he made signs to Tina not to betray him . `` So ! '' he said , as I stopped and stared like a goose , `` you peep at me , I peep at you , and this is not bad , but see , I am not pleasanting when I say , haf you a wish for German ? '' `` Yes , but you are too busy . I am too stupid to learn , '' I blundered out , as red as a peony . `` Prut ! We will make the time , and we fail not to find the sense . At efening I shall gif a little lesson with much gladness , for look you , Mees Marsch , I haf this debt to pay . '' And he pointed to my work ` Yes , ' they say to one another , these so kind ladies , ` he is a stupid old fellow , he will see not what we do , he will never observe that his sock heels go not in holes any more , he will think his buttons grow out new when they fall , and believe that strings make theirselves . ' `` Ah ! But I haf an eye , and I see much . I haf a heart , and I feel thanks for this .
Come , a little XXXXX then and now , or -- no more good fairy works for me and mine . ''
door heart lesson lessons letters look pass roughshod way wish