`` Oh , what ? '' asked both children eagerly . `` Well , I think we will call it Pattypans , '' and Aunt Jo retired , satisfied with the success of her last trap to catch a sunbeam . CHAPTER VI . A FIRE BRAND `` Please , ma'am , could I speak to you ? It is something very important , '' said Nat , popping his head in at the door of Mrs. Bhaer 's room . It was the fifth head which had popped in during the last half-hour ; but Mrs. Jo was used to it , so she looked up , and said , briskly , `` What is it , my lad ? '' Nat came in , shut the door carefully behind him , and said in an eager , anxious tone , `` Dan has come . '' `` Who is Dan ? '' `` He 's a boy I used to know when I fiddled round the streets . He sold papers , and he was kind to me , and I saw him the other day in town , and told him how nice it was here , and he 's come . '' `` But , my dear boy , that is rather a sudden way to pay a visit . '' `` Oh , it is n't a visit ; he wants to stay if you will let him ! '' said Nat innocently . `` Well , I do n't know about that , '' began Mrs. Bhaer , rather startled by the coolness of the proposition . `` Why , I thought you liked to have poor boys come and live with you , and be kind to 'em as you were to me , '' said Nat , looking surprised and alarmed . `` So I do , but I like to know something about them first . I have to choose them , because there are so many . I have not room for all . I wish I had . ''
`` I told him to come because I thought you 'd like it , but if there is n't XXXXX he can go away again , '' said Nat , sorrowfully .
CHAPTER boys half-hour kind proposition room success tone trap way