“Laythemonthegrasstobleach，“saidDaisy，withanairofexperience。
　　“SoIwill，andwecansitupinthenestandwatchthattheydon’tblowaway。“
　　TheQueenofBabylon’swardrobewasspreadforthuponthebank，and，turninguptheirtubstodry，thelittlewasherwomenclimbedintothenest，andfelltotalking，asladiesareapttodointhepausesofdomesticlabor。
　　“I’mgoingtohaveafeather-bedtogowithmynewpillow，“saidMrs。
　　Giddy-gaddy，asshetransferredthethistledownfromherpockettoherhandkerchief，losingabouthalfintheprocess。
　　“Iwouldn’t；AuntJosaysfeather-bedsaren’thealthy。Ineverletmychildrensleeponanythingbutamattress，“returnedMrs。ShakespeareSmith，decidedly。
　　“Idon’tcare；mychildrenaresostrongtheyoftensleeponthefloor，anddon’tmindit，“whichwasquitetrue。“Ican’taffordninemattresses，andIliketomakebedsmyself。“
　　“Won’tTommychargeforthefeathers？“
　　“Maybehewill，butIshan’tpayhim，andhewon’tcare，“returnedMrs。G。，takingabaseadvantageofthewell-knowngoodnatureofT。Bangs。
　　“Ithinkthepinkwillfadeoutofthatdresssoonerthanthegreenmarkwill，“observedMrs。S。，lookingdownfromherperch，andchangingthesubject，forsheandhergossipdifferedonmanypoints，andMrs。Smithwasadiscreetlady。
　　“Nevermind；I’mtiredofdolls，andIguessIshallputthemallawayandattendtomyfarm；Ilikeitratherbetterthanplayinghouse，“saidMrs。G。，unconsciouslyexpressingthedesireofmanyolderladies，whocannotdisposeoftheirfamiliessoeasilyhowever。
　　“Butyoumustn’tleavethem；theywilldiewithouttheirmother，“criedthetenderMrs。Smith。
　　“Let’emdiethen；I’mtiredoffussingoverbabies，andI’mgoingtoplaywiththeboys；theyneedmetoseeto’em，“returnedthestrong-mindedlady。
　　Daisyknewnothingaboutwomen’srights；shequietlytookallshewanted，andnoonedeniedherclaim，becauseshedidnotundertakewhatshecouldnotcarryout，butunconsciouslyusedtheall-powerfulrightofherowninfluencetowinfromothersanyprivilegeforwhichshehadprovedherfitness。Nanattemptedallsortsofthings，undauntedbydirefulfailures，andclamoredfiercelytobeallowedtodoeverythingthattheboysdid。
　　Theylaughedather，hustledheroutoftheway，andprotestedagainsthermeddlingwiththeiraffairs。Butshewouldnotbequenchedandshewouldbeheard，forherwillwasstrong，andshehadthespiritofarampantreformer。Mrs。Bhaersympathizedwithher，buttiredtocurbherfranticdesireforentireliberty，showingherthatshemustwaitalittle，learnself-control，andbereadytouseherfreedombeforesheaskedforit。
　　Nanhadmeekmomentswhensheagreedtothis，andtheinfluencesatworkuponherweregraduallytakingeffect。Shenolongerdeclaredthatshewouldbeengine-driverorablacksmith，butturnedhermindtofarming，andfoundinitaventfortheenergybottledupinheractivelittlebody。
　　Itdidnotquitesatisfyher，however；forhersageandsweetmarjoramweredumbthings，andcouldnotthankherforhercare。Shewantedsomethinghumantolove，workfor，andprotect，andwasneverhappierthanwhenthelittleboysbroughttheircutfingers，bumpedheads，orbruisedjointsforherto“mend-up。“Seeingthis，Mrs。Joproposedthatsheshouldlearnhowtodoitnicely，andNurseyhadanaptpupilinbandaging，plastering，andfomenting。Theboysbegantocallher“Dr。Giddy-gaddy，“andshelikeditsowellthatMrs。JoonedaysaidtotheProfessor­；
　　“Fritz，Iseewhatwecandoforthatchild。Shewantssomethingtoliveforevennow，andwillbeoneofthesharp，strong，discontentedwomenifshedoesnothaveit。Don’tletussnubherrestlesslittlenature，butdoourbesttogivehertheworkshelikes，andbyandbypersuadeherfathertoletherstudymedicine。Shewillmakeacapitaldoctor，forshehascourage，strongnerves，atenderheart，andanintenseloveandpityfortheweakandsuffering。“
　　Mr。Bhaersmiledatfirst，butagreedtotry，andgaveNananherb-garden，teachingherthevarioushealingpropertiesoftheplantsshetended，andlettinghertrytheirvirtuesonthechildreninthelittleillnessestheyhadfromtimetotime。Shelearnedfast，rememberedwell，andshowedasenseandinterestmostencouragingtoherProfessor，whodidnotshuthisdoorinherfacebecauseshewasalittlewoman。
　　Shewasthinkingofthis，asshesatinthewillowthatday，andwhenDaisysaidinhergentleway­；
　　“Ilovetokeephouse，andmeantohaveaniceoneforDemiwhenwegrowupandlivetogether。“
　　Nanrepliedwithdecision­；
　　“Well，Ihaven’tgotanybrother，andIdon’twantanyhousetofussover。Ishallhaveanoffice，withlotsofbottlesanddrawersandpestlethingsinit，andIshalldriveroundinahorseandchaiseandcuresickpeople。Thatwillbesuchfun。“
　　“Ugh!howcanyoubearthebad-smellingstuffandthenastylittlepowdersandcastor-oilandsennaandhivesyrup？“criedDaisy，withashudder。
　　“Ishan’thavetotakeany，soIdon’tcare。Besides，theymakepeoplewell，andIliketocurefolks。Didn’tmysage-teamakeMotherBhaer’sheadachegoaway，andmyhopsstopNed’stoothacheinfivehours？Sonow!“
　　“Shallyouputleechesonpeople，andcutofflegsandpulloutteeth？“
　　askedDaisy，quakingatthethought。
　　“Yes，Ishalldoeverything；Idon’tcareifthepeopleareallsmashedup，Ishallmendthem。Mygrandpawasadoctor，andIsawhimsewagreatcutinaman’scheek，andIheldthesponge，andwasn’tfrightenedabit，andGrandpasaidIwasabravegirl。“
　　“Howcouldyou？I’msorryforsickpeople，andIliketonursethem，butitmakesmylegsshakesoIhavetorunaway。I’mnotabravegirl，“
　　sighedDaisy。
　　“Well，youcanbemynurse，andcuddlemypatientswhenIhavegiventhemthephysicandcutofftheirlegs，“saidNan，whosepracticewasevidentlytobeoftheheroickind。
　　“Shipahoy!Whereareyou，Nan？“calledavoicefrombelow。
　　“Hereweare。“
　　“Ay，ay!“saidthevoice，andEmilappearedholdingonehandintheother，withhisfacepuckeredupasifinpain。
　　“Oh，what’sthematter？“criedDaisy，anxiously。
　　“Aconfoundedsplinterinmythumb。Can’tgetitout。Takeapickatit，willyou，Nanny？“
　　“It’sinverydeep，andIhaven’tanyneedle，“saidNan，examiningatarrythumbwithinterest。
　　“Takeapin，“saidEmil，inahurry。
　　“No，it’stoobigandhasn’tgotasharppoint。“
　　HereDaisy，whohaddivedintoherpocket，presentedaneatlittlehousewifewithfourneedlesinit。
　　“YouarethePosywhoalwayshaswhatwewant，“saidEmil；andNanresolvedtohaveaneedle-bookinherownpockethenceforth，forjustsuchcasesasthiswerealwaysoccurringinherpractice。
　　Daisycoveredhereyes，butNanprobedandpickedwithasteadyhand，whileEmilgavedirectionsnotdowninanymedicalworkorrecord。
　　“Starboardnow!Steady，boys，steady!Tryanothertack。Heaveho!theresheis!“
　　“Suckit，“orderedtheDoctor，surveyingthesplinterwithanexperiencedeye。
　　“Toodirty，“respondedthepatient，shakinghisbleedinghand。
　　“Wait；I’lltieitupifyouhavegotahandkerchief。“
　　“Haven’t；takeoneofthoseragsdownthere。“
　　“Gracious!no，indeed；theyaredoll’sclothes，“criedDaisy，indignantly。
　　“Takeoneofmine；I’dliketohaveyou，“saidNan；andswinginghimselfdown，Emilcaughtupthefirst“rag“hesaw。Ithappenedtobethefrilledskirt；butNantoreitupwithoutamurmur；andwhentheroyalpetticoatwasturnedintoaneatlittlebandage，shedismissedherpatientwiththecommand­；
　　“Keepitwet，andletitalone；thenitwillhealrightup，andnotbesore。“
　　“Whatdoyoucharge？“askedtheCommodore，laughing。
　　“Nothing；Ikeepa’spensary；thatisaplacewherepoorpeoplearedoctoredfreegratisfornothing，“explainedNan，withanair。
　　“Thankyou，DoctorGiddy-gaddy。I’llalwayscallyouinwhenIcometogrief；“andEmildeparted，butlookedbacktosay­；foronegoodturndeservesanother­；“Yourdudsareblowingaway，Doctor。“
　　Forgivingthedisrespectfulword，“duds，“theladieshastilydescended，and，gatheringuptheirwash，retiredtothehousetofireupthelittlestove，andgotoironing。
　　Apassingbreathofairshooktheoldwillow，asifitlaughedsoftlyatthechildishchatterwhichwentoninthenest，andithadhardlycomposeditselfwhenanotherpairofbirdsalightedforaconfidentialtwitter。
　　“Now，I’lltellyouthesecret，“beganTommy，whowas“swellin’wisibly“
　　withtheimportanceofhisnews。
　　“Tellaway，“answeredNat，wishinghehadbroughthisfiddle，itwassoshadyandquiethere。
　　“Well，wefellowsweretalkingoverthelateinterestingcaseofcircumstantialevidence，“saidTommy，quotingatrandomfromaspeechFranzhadmadeattheclub，“andIproposedgivingDansomethingtomakeupforoursuspectinghim，toshowourrespect，andsoon，youknow­；somethinghandsomeanduseful，thathecouldkeepalwaysandbeproudof。Whatdoyouthinkwechose？“
　　“Abutterfly-net；hewantsoneeversomuch，“saidNat，lookingalittledisappointed，forhemeanttogetithimself。
　　“No，sir；it’stobeamicroscope，arealswellone，thatweseewhat-do-you-call-’emsinwaterwith，andstars，andant-eggs，andallsortsofgames，youknow。
　　Won’titbeajollygoodpresent？“saidTommy，ratherconfusingmicroscopesandtelescopesinhisremarks。
　　“Tip-top!I’msoglad!Won’titcostaheap，though？“criedNat，feelingthathisfriendwasbeginningtobeappreciated。
　　“Ofcourseitwill；butweareallgoingtogivesomething。Iheadedthepaperwithmyfivedollars；forifitisdoneatall，itmustbedonehandsome。“
　　“What!allofit？Ineverdidseesuchagenerouschapasyouare；“
　　andNatbeameduponhimwithsincereadmiration。
　　“Well，yousee，I’vebeensobotheredwithmyproperty，thatI’mtiredofit，anddon’tmeantosaveupanymore，butgiveitawayasIgoalong，andthennobodywillenvyme，orwanttostealit，andIshan’tbesuspectingfolksandworryingaboutmyoldcash，“repliedTommy，onwhomthecaresandanxietiesofamillionaireweighedheavily。
　　“WillMr。Bhaerletyoudoit？“
　　“Hethoughtitwasafirst-rateplan，andsaidthatsomeofthebestmenheknewpreferredtodogoodwiththeirmoneyinsteadoflayingituptobesquabbledoverwhentheydied。“
　　“Yourfatherisrich；doeshedothatway？“
　　“I’mnotsure；hegivesmeallIwant；Iknowthatmuch。I’mgoingtotalktohimaboutitwhenIgohome。Anyhow，Ishallsethimagoodexample；“
　　andTommywassoserious，thatNatdidnotdaretolaugh，butsaid，respectfully­；
　　“Youwillbeabletodoeversomuchwithyourmoney，won’tyou？“
　　“SoMr。Bhaersaid，andhepromisedtoadvisemeaboutusefulwaysofspendingit。I’mgoingtobeginwithDan；andnexttimeIgetadollarorso，IshalldosomethingforDick，he’ssuchagoodlittlechap，andonlyhasacentaweekforpocket-money。Hecan’tearnmuch，youknow；
　　soI’mgoingtokindofseetohim；“andgood-heartedTommyquitelongedtobegin。
　　“Ithinkthat’sabeautifulplan，andI’mnotgoingtotrytobuyafiddleanymore；I’mgoingtogetDanhisnetallmyself，andifthereisanymoneyleft，I’lldosomethingtopleasepoorBilly。He’sfondofme，andthoughheisn’tpoor，he’dlikesomelittlethingfromme，becauseIcanmakeoutwhathewantsbetterthantherestofyou。“AndNatfelltowonderinghowmuchhappinesscouldbegotoutofhispreciousthreedollars。
　　“SoIwould。NowcomeandaskMr。Bhaerifyoucan’tgointownwithmeonMondayafternoon，soyoucangetthenet，whileIgetthemicroscope。
　　FranzandEmilaregoingtoo，andwe’llhaveajollytimelarkingroundamongtheshops。“
　　Theladswalkedawayarm-in-arm，discussingthenewplanswithdrollimportance，yetbeginningalreadytofeelthesweetsatisfactionwhichcomestothosewhotry，nomatterhowhumbly，tobeearthlyprovidencestothepoorandhelpless，andgildtheirmitewiththegoldofcharitybeforeitislaidupwherethievescannotbreakthroughandsteal。
　　“Comeupandrestwhilewesorttheleaves；it’ssocoolandpleasanthere，“saidDemi，asheandDancamesaunteringhomefromalongwalkinthewoods。
　　“Allright!“answeredDan，whowasaboyoffewwords，anduptheywent。
　　“Whatmakesbirchleavesshakesomuchmorethantheothers？“askedinquiringDemi，whowasalwayssureofananswerfromDan。
　　“Theyarehungdifferently。Don’tyouseethestemwhereitjoinstheleafissortofpinchedoneway，andwhereitjoinsthetwig，itispinchedanother。Thismakesitwagglewiththeleastbitofwind，buttheelmleaveshangstraight，andkeepstiller。“
　　“Howcurious!willthisdoso？“andDemiheldupasprigofacacia，whichhehadbrokenfromalittletreeonthelawn，becauseitwassopretty。
　　“No；thatbelongstothesortthatshutsupwhenyoutouchit。Drawyourfingerdownthemiddleofthestem，andseeiftheleavesdon’tcurlup，“saidDan，whowasexaminingabitofmica。
　　Demitriedit，andpresentlythelittleleavesdidfoldtogether，tillthesprayshowedasingleinsteadofadoublelineofleaves。