No honor that he might earn hereafter would ever be half so precious as the right to teach his few virtues and small store of learning to the child whom he most respected ; and no more powerful restraint could have been imposed upon him than the innocent companion confided to his care . He found courage now to tell Mrs. Jo of the plan already made with Demi , and she was glad that the first step had been so naturally taken . Every thing seemed to be working well for Dan , and she rejoiced over him , because it had seemed a hard task , yet , working on with a firm belief in the possibility of reformation in far older and worse subjects than he , there had come this quick and hopeful change to encourage her . He felt that he had friends now and a place in the world , something to live and work for , and , though he said little , all that was best and bravest in a character made old by a hard experience responded to the love and faith bestowed on him , and Dan 's salvation was assured . Their quiet talk was interrupted by a shout of delight from Teddy , who , to the surprise of every one , did actually catch a trout where no trout had been seen for years . He was so enchanted with his splendid success that he insisted on showing his prize to the family before Asia cooked it for supper ; so the three descended and went happily away together , all satisfied with the work of that half hour . Ned was the next visitor to the tree , but he only made a short stay , sitting there at his ease while Dick and Dolly caught a pailful of grasshoppers and crickets for him . He wanted to play a joke on Tommy , and intended to tuck up a few dozen of the lively creatures in his bed , so that when Bangs got in he would speedily tumble out again , and pass a portion of the night in chasing `` hopper-grasses '' round the room . The hunt was soon over , and having paid the hunters with a few peppermints apiece Ned retired to make Tommy 's bed . For an hour the old willow sighed and sung to itself , talked with the brook , and watched the lengthening shadows as the sun went down . The first rosy color was touching its graceful branches when a boy came stealing up the avenue , across the lawn , and , spying Billy by the brook-side , went to him , saying , in a mysterious tone , `` Go and tell Mr. Bhaer I want to see him down here , please . Do n't let any one hear . '' Billy nodded and ran off , while the boy swung himself up into the tree , and sat there looking anxious , yet evidently feeling the charm of the place and hour . In five minutes , Mr. Bhaer appeared , and , stepping up on the fence , leaned into the nest , saying , kindly , `` I am glad to see you , Jack ; but why not come in and meet us all at once ? '' `` I wanted to see you first , please , sir . Uncle made me come back . I know I do n't deserve any thing , but I hope the fellows wo n't be hard upon me . '' Poor Jack did not get on very well , but it was evident that he was sorry and ashamed , and wanted to be received as easily as possible ; for his Uncle had thrashed him well and scolded him soundly for following the example he himself set . Jack had begged not to be sent back , but the school was cheap , and Mr. Ford insisted , so the boy returned as quietly as possible , and took refuge behind Mr. Bhaer . `` I hope not , but I ca n't answer for them , though I will see that they are not unjust .
I think , as Dan and Nat have suffered so much , being innocent , you should suffer XXXXX , being guilty .
Poor branches companion grasshoppers love school something task tree work