Suchamerrytimeastheyhad!runningandshouting，sendingupthekitesorpullingthemdown，watchingtheiranticsintheair，andfeelingthemtugatthestringlikelivecreaturestryingtoescape。Nanwasquitewildwiththefun，Daisythoughtthenewplaynearlyasinterestingasdolls，andlittleBesswassofondofher“bootite，“thatshewouldonlyletitgoonveryshortflights，preferringtoholditinherlapandlookattheremarkablepicturespaintedonitbyTommy’sdashingbrush。Mrs。
　　Joenjoyedhersimmensely，anditactedasifitknewwhoownedit，foritcametumblingdownheadfirstwhenleastexpected，caughtontrees，nearlypitchedintotheriver，andfinallydartedawaytosuchaheightthatitlookedamerespeckamongtheclouds。
　　Byandbyeveryonegottired，andfasteningthekite-stringstotreesandfences，allsatdowntorest，exceptMr。Bhaer，whowentofftolookatthecows，withTeddyonhisshoulder。
　　“Didyoueverhavesuchagoodtimeasthisbefore？“askedNat，astheylayaboutonthegrass，nibblingpennyroyallikeaflockofsheep。
　　“NotsinceIlastflewakite，yearsago，whenIwasagirl，“answeredMrs。Jo。
　　“I’dliketohaveknownyouwhenyouwereagirl，youmusthavebeensojolly，“saidNat。
　　“Iwasanaughtylittlegirl，Iamsorrytosay。“
　　“Ilikenaughtylittlegirls，“observedTommy，lookingatNan，whomadeafrightfulgrimaceathiminreturnforthecompliment。
　　“Whydon’tIrememberyouthen，Aunty？WasItooyoung？“askedDemi。
　　“Rather，dear。“
　　“Isupposemymemoryhadn’tcomethen。Grandpasaysthatdifferentpartsofthemindunfoldaswegrowup，andthememorypartofmymindhadn’tunfoldedwhenyouwerelittle，soIcan’trememberhowyoulooked，“explainedDemi。
　　“Now，littleSocrates，youhadbetterkeepthatquestionforgrandpa，itisbeyondme，“saidAuntJo，puttingontheextinguisher。
　　“Well，Iwill，heknowsaboutthosethings，andyoudon’t，“
　　returnedDemi，feelingthatonthewholekiteswerebetteradaptedtothecomprehensionofthepresentcompany。
　　“Tellaboutthelasttimeyouflewakite，“saidNat，forMrs。Johadlaughedasshespokeofit，andhethoughtitmightbeinteresting。
　　“Oh，itwasonlyratherfunny，forIwasagreatgirloffifteen，andwasashamedtobeseenatsuchaplay。SoUncleTeddyandIprivatelymadeourkites，andstoleawaytoflythem。Wehadacapitaltime，andwererestingaswearenow，whensuddenlyweheardvoices，andsawapartyofyoungladiesandgentlemencomingbackfromapicnic。Teddydidnotmind，thoughhewasratheralargeboytobeplayingwithakite，butIwasinagreatflurry，forIknewIshouldbesadlylaughedat，andneverhearthelastofit，becausemywildwaysamusedtheneighborsasmuchasNan’sdous。
　　“’WhatshallIdo？’IwhisperedtoTeddy，asthevoicesdrewnearerandnearer。
　　“’I’llshowyou，’hesaid，andwhippingouthisknifehecutthestrings。
　　Awayflewthekites，andwhenthepeoplecameupwewerepickingflowersasproperlyasyouplease。Theyneversuspectedus，andwehadagrandlaughoverournarrowescape。“
　　“Werethekiteslost，Aunty？“askedDaisy。
　　“Quitelost，butIdidnotcare，forImadeupmymindthatitwouldbebesttowaittillIwasanoldladybeforeIplayedwithkitesagain；
　　andyouseeIhavewaited，“saidMrs。Jo，beginningtopullinthebigkite，foritwasgettinglate。
　　“Mustwegonow？“
　　“Imust，oryouwon’thaveanysupper；andthatsortofsurprisepartywouldnotsuityou，Ithink，mychickens。“
　　“Hasn’tourpartybeenaniceone？“askedTommy，complacently。
　　“Splendid!“answeredeveryone。
　　“Doyouknowwhy？Itisbecauseyourguestshavebehavedthemselves，andtriedtomakeeverythinggowell。YouunderstandwhatImean，don’tyou？“
　　“Yes’m，“wasalltheboyssaid，buttheystoleashamefacedlookatoneanother，astheymeeklyshoulderedtheirkitesandwalkedhome，thinkingofanotherpartywheretheguestshadnotbehavedthemselves，andthingshadgonebadlyonaccountofit。CHAPTERXHOMEAGAIN
　　Julyhadcome，andhayingbegun；thelittlegardensweredoingfinelyandthelongsummerdayswerefullofpleasanthours。Thehousestoodopenfrommorningtillnight，andtheladslivedoutofdoors，exceptatschooltime。Thelessonswereshort，andthereweremanyholidays，fortheBhaersbelievedincultivatinghealthybodiesbymuchexercise，andourshortsummersarebestusedinout-of-doorwork。Sucharosy，sunburnt，heartysetastheboysbecame；suchappetitesastheyhad；suchsturdyarmsandlegs，asoutgrewjacketsandtrousers；suchlaughingandracingallovertheplace；suchanticsinhouseandbarn；suchadventuresinthetrampsoverhillanddale；andsuchsatisfactionintheheartsoftheworthyBhaers，astheysawtheirflockprosperinginmindandbody，Icannotbegintodescribe。Onlyonethingwasneededtomakethemquitehappy，anditcamewhentheyleastexpectedit。
　　Onebalmynightwhenthelittleladswereinbed，theelderonesbathingdownatthebrook，andMrs。BhaerundressingTeddyinherparlor，hesuddenlycriedout，“Oh，myDanny!“andpointedtothewindow，wherethemoonshonebrightly。
　　“No，lovey，heisnotthere，itwastheprettymoon，“saidhismother。
　　“No，no，Dannyatawindow；Teddysawhim，“persistedbaby，muchexcited。
　　“Itmighthavebeen，“andMrs。Bhaerhurriedtothewindow，hopingitwouldprovetrue。Butthefacewasgone，andnowhereappearedanysignsofamortalboy；shecalledhisname，rantothefrontdoorwithTeddyinhislittleshirt，andmadehimcalltoo，thinkingthebabyvoicemighthavemoreeffectthanherown。Nooneanswered，nothingappeared，andtheywentbackmuchdisappointed。Teddywouldnotbesatisfiedwiththemoon，andafterhewasinhiscribkeptpoppinguphisheadtoaskifDannywasnot“tummin’soon。“
　　Byandbyhefellasleep，theladstroopeduptobed，thehousegrewstill，andnothingbutthechirpofthecricketsbrokethesoftsilenceofthesummernight。Mrs。Bhaersatsewing，forthebigbasketwasalwayspiledwithsocks，fullofportentousholes，andthinkingofthelostboy。
　　Shehaddecidedthatbabyhadbeenmistaken，anddidnotevendisturbMr。
　　Bhaerbytellinghimofthechild’sfancy，forthepoormangotlittletimetohimselftilltheboyswereabed，andhewasbusywritingletters。
　　Itwaspasttenwhensherosetoshutupthehouse。Asshepausedaminutetoenjoythelovelyscenefromthesteps，somethingwhitecaughthereyeononeofthehay-cocksscatteredoverthelawn。Thechildrenhadbeenplayingtherealltheafternoon，and，fancyingthatNanhadleftherhatasusual，Mrs。Bhaerwentouttogetit。Butassheapproached，shesawthatitwasneitherhatnorhandkerchief，butashirtsleevewithabrownhandstickingoutofit。Shehurriedroundthehay-cock，andtherelayDan，fastasleep。
　　Ragged，dirty，thin，andworn-outhelooked；onefootwasbare，theothertiedupintheoldginghamjacketwhichhehadtakenfromhisownbacktouseasaclumsybandageforsomehurt。Heseemedtohavehiddenhimselfbehindthehay-cock，butinhissleephadthrownoutthearmthathadbetrayedhim。Hesighedandmutteredasifhisdreamsdisturbedhim，andoncewhenhemoved，hegroanedasifinpain，butstillsleptonquitespentwithweariness。
　　“Hemustnotliehere，“saidMrs。Bhaer，andstoopingoverhimshegentlycalledhisname。Heopenedhiseyesandlookedather，asifshewasapartofhisdream，forhesmiledandsaiddrowsily，“MotherBhaer，I’vecomehome。“
　　Thelook，thewords，touchedherverymuch，andsheputherhandunderhisheadtolifthimup，sayinginhercordialway，­；
　　“Ithoughtyouwould，andI’msogladtoseeyou，Dan。“Heseemedtowakethoroughlythen，andstarteduplookingabouthimasifhesuddenlyrememberedwherehewas，anddoubtedeventhatkindwelcome。Hisfacechanged，andhesaidinhisoldroughway，­；
　　“Iwasgoingoffinthemorning。Ionlystoppedtopeekin，asIwentby。“
　　“Butwhynotcomein，Dan？Didn’tyouhearuscallyou？Teddysaw，andcriedforyou。“
　　“Didn’tsupposeyou’dletmein，“hesaid，fumblingwithalittlebundlewhichhehadtakenupasifgoingimmediately。
　　“Tryandsee，“wasallMrs。Bhaeranswered，holdingoutherhandandpointingtothedoor，wherethelightshonehospitably。
　　Withalongbreath，asifaloadwasoffhismind，Dantookupastoutstick，andbegantolimptowardsthehouse，butstoppedsuddenly，tosayinquiringly，­；
　　“Mr。Bhaerwon’tlikeit。IranawayfromPage。“
　　“Heknowsit，andwassorry，butitwillmakenodifference。Areyoulame？“askedMrs。Jo，ashelimpedonagain。
　　“Gettingoverawallastonefellonmyfootandsmashedit。Idon’tmind，“andhedidhisbesttohidethepaineachstepcosthim。
　　Mrs。Bhaerhelpedhimintoherownroom，and，oncethere，hedroppedintoachair，andlaidhisheadback，whiteandfaintwithwearinessandsuffering。
　　“MypoorDan!drinkthis，andtheneatalittle；youareathomenow，andMotherBhaerwilltakegoodcareofyou。“
　　Heonlylookedupatherwitheyesfullofgratitude，ashedrankthewinesheheldtohislips，andthenbeganslowlytoeatthefoodshebroughthim。Eachmouthfulseemedtoputheartintohim，andpresentlyhebegantotalkasifanxioustohaveherknowallabouthim。
　　“Wherehaveyoubeen，Dan？“sheasked，beginningtogetoutsomebandages。
　　“Iranoffmore’namonthago。Pagewasgoodenough，buttoostrict。
　　Ididn’tlikeit，soIcutawaydowntheriverwithamanwhowasgoinginhisboat。That’swhytheycouldn’ttellwhereI’dgone。WhenIlefttheman，Iworkedforacoupleofweekswithafarmer，butIthrashedhisboy，andthentheoldmanthrashedme，andIranoffagainandwalkedhere。“
　　“Alltheway？“
　　“Yes，themandidn’tpayme，andIwouldn’taskforit。Tookitoutinbeatingtheboy，“andDanlaughed，yetlookedashamed，asheglancedathisraggedclothesanddirtyhands。
　　“Howdidyoulive？Itwasalong，longtrampforaboylikeyou。“
　　“Oh，Igotonwellenough，tillIhurtmyfoot。Folksgavemethingstoeat，andIsleptinbarnsandtrampedbyday。Igotlosttryingtomakeashortcut，orI’dhavebeenheresooner。“
　　“Butifyoudidnotmeantocomeinandstaywithus，whatwereyougoingtodo？“
　　“IthoughtI’dliketoseeTeddyagain，andyou；andthenIwasgoingbacktomyoldworkinthecity，onlyIwassotiredIwenttosleeponthehay。I’dhavebeengoneinthemorning，ifyouhadn’tfoundme。“
　　“AreyousorryIdid？“andMrs。Jolookedathimwithahalfmerry，halfreproachfullook，asshekneltdowntolookathiswoundedfoot。
　　ThecolorcameupintoDan’sface，andhekepthiseyesfixedonhisplate，ashesaidverylow，“No，ma’am，I’mglad，Iwantedtostay，butIwasafraidyou­；“
　　Hedidnotfinish，forMrs。Bhaerinterruptedhimbyanexclamationofpity，asshesawhisfoot，foritwasseriouslyhurt。
　　“Whendidyoudoit？“
　　“Threedaysago。“
　　“Andyouhavewalkedonitinthisstate？“
　　“Ihadastick，andIwasheditateverybrookIcameto，andonewomangavemearagtoputonit。“
　　“Mr。Bhaermustseeanddressitatonce，“andMrs。Johastenedintothenextroom，leavingthedoorajarbehindher，sothatDanheardallthatpassed。
　　“Fritz，theboyhascomeback。“
　　“Who？Dan？“
　　“Yes，Teddysawhimatthewindow，andhecalledtohim，buthewentawayandhidbehindthehay-cocksonthelawn。Ifoundhimtherejustnowfastasleep，andhalfdeadwithwearinessandpain。HeranawayfromPageamonthago，andhasbeenmakinghiswaytouseversince。Hepretendsthathedidnotmeantoletusseehim，butgoontothecity，andhisoldwork，afteralookatus。Itisevident，however，thatthehopeofbeingtakeninhasledhimherethrougheverything，andthereheiswaitingtoknowifyouwillforgiveandtakehimback。“
　　“Didhesayso？“
　　“Hiseyesdid，andwhenIwakedhim，hesaid，likealostchild，’MotherBhaer，I’vecomehome。’Ihadn’tthehearttoscoldhim，andjusttookhiminlikeapoorlittleblacksheepcomebacktothefold。Imaykeephim，Fritz？“
　　“Ofcourseyoumay!Thisprovestomethatwehaveaholdontheboy’sheart，andIwouldnomoresendhimawaynowthanIwouldmyownRob。“
　　Danheardasoftlittlesound，asifMrs。Jothankedherhusbandwithoutwords，and，intheinstant’ssilencethatfollowed，twogreattearsthathadslowlygatheredintheboy’seyesbrimmedoverandrolleddownhisdustycheeks。Noonesawthem，forhebrushedthemhastilyaway；butinthatlittlepauseI