onwhichoccasionsNatfelthimselftranslatedintotheseventhheavenofbliss，forhewenttoMr。Laurence’sgreathouse，sawhisprettywifeandlittlefairyofadaughter，hadagooddinner，andwasmadesocomfortable，thathetalkedanddreamedofitfordaysandnightsafterward。
　　Ittakessolittletomakeachildhappythatitisapity，inaworldsofullofsunshineandpleasantthings，thatthereshouldbeanywistfulfaces，emptyhands，orlonelylittlehearts。Feelingthis，theBhaersgatheredupallthecrumbstheycouldfindtofeedtheirflockofhungrysparrows，fortheywerenotrich，exceptincharity。ManyofMrs。Jo’sfriendswhohadnurseriessenthertheytoysofwhichtheirchildrensosoontired，andinmendingtheseNatfoundanemploymentthatjustsuitedhim。Hewasveryneatandskillfulwiththoseslenderfingersofhis，andpassedmanyarainyafternoonwithhisgum-bottle，paint-box，andknife，repairingfurniture，animals，andgames，whileDaisywasdressmakertothedilapidateddolls。Asfastasthetoysweremended，theywereputcarefullyawayinacertaindrawerwhichwastofurnishforthaChristmas-treeforallthepoorchildrenoftheneighborhood，thatbeingthewaythePlumfieldboyscelebratedthebirthdayofHimwholovedthepoorandblessedthelittleones。
　　Demiwasnevertiredofreadingandexplaininghisfavoritebooks，andmanyapleasanthourdidtheyspendintheoldwillow，revellingover“RobinsonCrusoe，““ArabianNights，““Edgeworth’sTales，“andtheotherdearimmortalstoriesthatwilldelightchildrenforcenturiestocome。ThisopenedanewworldtoNat，andhiseagernesstoseewhatcamenextinthestoryhelpedhimontillhecouldreadaswellasanybody，andfeltsorichandproudwithhisnewaccomplishment，thattherewasdangerofhisbeingasmuchofabookwormasDemi。
　　Anotherhelpfulthinghappenedinamostunexpectedandagreeablemanner。
　　Severaloftheboyswere“inbusiness，“astheycalledit，formostofthemwerepoor，andknowingthattheywouldhavetheirownwaytomakebyandby，theBhaersencouragedanyeffortsatindependence。Tommysoldhiseggs；Jackspeculatedinlivestock；Franzhelpedintheteaching，andwaspaidforit；Nedhadatasteforcarpentry，andaturning-lathewassetupforhiminwhichheturnedallsortsofusefulorprettythings，andsoldthem；whileDemiconstructedwater-mills，whirligigs，andunknownmachinesofanintricateanduselessnature，anddisposedofthemtotheboys。
　　“Lethimbeamechanicifhelikes，“saidMr。Bhaer。“Giveaboyatrade，andheisindependent。Workiswholesome，andwhatevertalenttheseladspossess，beitforpoetryorploughing，itshallbecultivatedandmadeusefultothemifpossible。“
　　So，whenNatcamerunningtohimonedaytoaskwithanexcitedface：
　　“CanIgoandfiddleforsomepeoplewhoaretohaveapicnicinourwoods？Theywillpayme，andI’dliketoearnsomemoneyastheotherboysdo，andfiddlingistheonlywayIknowhowtodoit­；“
　　Mr。Bhaeransweredreadily：
　　“Go，andwelcome。Itisaneasyandapleasantwaytowork，andIamgladitisofferedyou。“
　　Natwent，anddidsowellthatwhenhecamehomehehadtwodollarsinhispocket，whichhedisplayedwithintensesatisfaction，ashetoldhowmuchhehadenjoyedtheafternoon，howkindtheyoungpeoplewere，andhowtheyhadpraisedhisdancemusic，andpromisedtohavehimagain。
　　“Itissomuchnicerthanfiddlinginthestreet，forthenIgotnoneofthemoney，andnowIhaveitall，andagoodtimebesides。I’minbusinessnowaswellasTommyandJack，andIlikeiteversomuch，“saidNat，proudlypattingtheoldpocketbook，andfeelinglikeamillionairealready。
　　Hewasinbusinesstruly，forpicnicswereplentyassummeropened，andNat’sskillwasingreatdemand。Hewasalwaysatlibertytogoiflessonswerenotneglected，andifthepicnickerswererespectableyoungpeople。ForMr。Bhaerexplainedtohimthatagoodplaineducationisnecessaryforeveryone，andthatnoamountofmoneyshouldhirehimtogowherehemightbetemptedtodowrong。Natquiteagreedtothis，anditwasapleasantsighttoseetheinnocent-heartedladgodrivingawayinthegaywagonsthatstoppedatthegateforhim，ortohearhimcomefiddlinghometiredbuthappy，withhiswell-earnedmoneyinonepocket，andsome“goodies“
　　fromthefeastforDaisyorlittleTed，whomheneverforgot。
　　“I’mgoingtosaveuptillIgetenoughtobuyaviolinformyself，andthenIcanearnmyownliving，can’tI？“heusedtosay，ashebroughthisdollarstoMr。Bhaertokeep。
　　“Ihopeso，Nat；butwemustgetyoustrongandheartyfirst，andputalittlemoreknowledgeintothismusicalheadofyours。ThenMr。Lauriewillfindyouaplacesomewhere，andinafewyearswewillallcometohearyouplayinpublic。“
　　Withmuchcongenialwork，encouragement，andhope，Natfoundlifegettingeasierandhappiereveryday，andmadesuchprogressinhismusiclessonsthathisteacherforgavehisslownessinsomeotherthings，knowingverywellthatwheretheheartisthemindworksbest。Theonlypunishmenttheboyeverneededforneglectofmoreimportantlessonswastohangupthefiddleandthebowforaday。Thefearoflosinghisbosomfriendentirelymadehimgoathisbookswithawill；andhavingprovedthathecouldmasterthelessons，whatwastheuseofsaying“Ican’t？“
　　Daisyhadagreatloveofmusic，andagreatreverenceforanyonewhocouldmakeit，andshewasoftenfoundsittingonthestairsoutsideNat’sdoorwhilehewaspractising。Thispleasedhimverymuch，andheplayedhisbestforthatonequietlittlelistener；forsheneverwouldcomein，butpreferredtositsewinghergaypatchwork，ortendingoneofhermanydolls，withanexpressionofdreamypleasureonherfacethatmadeAuntJosay，withtearsinhereyes：“SolikemyBeth，“andgosoftlyby，lestevenherfamiliarpresencemarthechild’ssweetsatisfaction。
　　NatwasveryfondofMrs。Bhaer，butfoundsomethingevenmoreattractiveinthegoodprofessor，whotookfatherlycareoftheshyfeebleboy，whohadbarelyescapedwithhislifefromtheroughseaonwhichhislittleboathadbeentossingrudderlessfortwelveyears。Somegoodangelmusthavebeenwatchingoverhim，for，thoughhisbodyhadsuffered，hissoulseemedtohavetakenlittleharm，andcameashoreasinnocentasashipwreckedbaby。Perhapshisloveofmusickeptitsweetinspiteofthediscordallabouthim；Mr。Lauriesaidso，andheoughttoknow。Howeverthatmightbe，FatherBhaertookpleasureinfosteringpoorNat’svirtues，andincuringhisfaults，findinghisnewpupilasdocileandaffectionateasagirl。HeoftencalledNathis“daughter“whenspeakingofhimtoMrs。
　　Jo，andsheusedtolaughathisfancy，forMadamelikedmanlyboys，andthoughtNatamiablebutweak，thoughyouneverwouldhaveguessedit，forshepettedhimasshedidDaisy，andhethoughtheraverydelightfulwoman。
　　OnefaultofNat’sgavetheBhaersmuchanxiety，althoughtheysawhowithadbeenstrengthenedbyfearandignorance。IregrettosaythatNatsometimestoldlies。Notveryblackones，seldomgettingdeeperthangray，andoftenthemildestofwhitefibs；butthatdidnotmatter，alieisalie，andthoughwealltellmanypoliteuntruthsinthisqueerworldofours，itisnotright，andeverybodyknowsit。
　　“Youcannotbetoocareful；watchyourtongue，andeyes，andhands，foritiseasytotell，andlook，andactuntruth，“saidMr。Bhaer，inoneofthetalkshehadwithNatabouthischieftemptation。
　　“Iknowit，andIdon’tmeanto，butit’ssomucheasiertogetalongifyouain’tveryfussyaboutbeingexactlytrue。Iusedtotell’embecauseIwasafraidoffatherandNicolo，andnowIdosometimesbecausetheboyslaughatme。Iknowit’sbad，butIforget，“andNatlookedmuchdepressedbyhissins。
　　“WhenIwasalittleladIusedtotelllies!Ach!whatfibstheywere，andmyoldgrandmothercuredmeofit­；how，doyouthink？Myparentshadtalked，andcried，andpunished，butstilldidIforgetasyou。Thensaidthedearoldgrandmother，’Ishallhelpyoutoremember，andputacheckonthisunrulypart，’withthatshedrewoutmytongueandsnippedtheendwithherscissorstillthebloodran。Thatwasterrible，youmaybelieve，butitdidmemuchgood，becauseitwassorefordays，andeverywordIsaidcamesoslowlythatIhadtimetothink。AfterthatIwasmorecareful，andgotonbetter，forIfearedthebigscissors。Yetthedeargrandmotherwasmostkindtomeinallthings，andwhenshelaydyingfarawayinNuremberg，sheprayedthatlittleFritzmightloveGodandtellthetruth。“
　　“Ineverhadanygrandmothers，butifyouthinkitwillcureme，I’llletyousnipmytongue，“saidNat，heroically，forhedreadedpain，yetdidwishtostopfibbing。
　　Mr。Bhaersmiled，butshookhishead。
　　“Ihaveabetterwaythanthat，Itrieditoncebeforeanditworkedwell。Seenow，whenyoutellalieIwillnotpunishyou，butyoushallpunishme。“
　　“How？“askedNat，startledattheidea。
　　“Youshallferulemeinthegoodold-fashionedway；Iseldomdoitmyself，butitmaymakeyourememberbettertogivemepainthantofeelityourself。“
　　“Strikeyou？Oh，Icouldn’t!“criedNat。
　　“Thenmindthattrippingtongueofthine。Ihavenowishtobehurt，butIwouldgladlybearmuchpaintocurethisfault。“
　　ThissuggestionmadesuchanimpressiononNat，thatforalongtimehesetawatchuponhislips，andwasdesperatelyaccurate，forMr。Bhaerjudgedrightly，thatloveofhimwouldbemorepowerfulwithNatthatfearforhimself。Butalas!onesaddayNatwasoffhisguard，andwhenpepperyEmilthreatenedtothrashhim，ifitwashewhohadrunoverhisgardenandbrokendownhisbesthillsofcorn，Natdeclaredhedidn’t，andthenwasashamedtoownupthathediddoit，whenJackwaschasinghimthenightbefore。
　　Hethoughtnoonewouldfinditout，butTommyhappenedtoseehim，andwhenEmilspokeofitadayortwolater，Tommygavehisevidence，andMr。Bhaerheardit。Schoolwasover，andtheywereallstandingaboutinthehall，andMr。BhaerhadjustsetdownonthestrawsetteetoenjoyhisfrolicwithTeddy；butwhenheheardTommyandsawNatturnscarlet，andlookathimwithafrightenedface，heputthelittleboydown，saying，“Gotothymother，bü；bchen，Iwillcomesoon，“andtakingNatbythehandledhimintotheschoolandshutthedoor。
　　Theboyslookedatoneanotherinsilenceforaminute，thenTommyslippedoutandpeepinginatthehalf-closedblinds，beheldasightthatquitebewilderedhim。Mr。Bhaerhadjusttakendownthelongrulethathungoverhisdesk，soseldomusedthatitwascoveredwithdust。
　　“Myeye!He’sgoingtocomedownheavyonNatthistime。WishIhadn’ttold，“thoughtgood-naturedTommy，fortobeferuledwasthedeepestdisgraceatthisschool。
　　“YourememberwhatItoldyoulasttime？“saidMr。Bhaer，sorrowfully，notangrily。
　　“Yes；butpleasedon’tmakeme，Ican’tbearit，“criedNat，backingupagainstthedoorwithbothhandsbehindhim，andafacefullofdistress。
　　“Whydon’theupandtakeitlikeaman？Iwould，“thoughtTommy，thoughhisheartbeatfastatthesight。
　　“Ishallkeepmyword，andyoumustremembertotellthetruth。Obeyme，Nat，takethisandgivemesixgoodstrokes。“
　　Tommywassostaggeredbythislastspeechthathenearlytumbleddownthebank，butsavedhimself，andhungontothewindowledge，staringinwitheyesasroundasthestuffedowl’sonthechimney-piece。
　　Nattooktherule，forwhenMr。Bhaerspokeinthattoneeveryoneobeyedhim，and，lookingasscaredandguiltyasifabouttostabhismaster，hegavetwofeebleblowsonthebroadhandheldouttohim。Thenhestoppedandlookeduphalf-blindwithtears，butMr。Bhaersaidsteadily：
　　“Goon，andstrikeharder。“
　　Asifseeingthatitmustbedone，andeagertohavethehardtasksoonover，Natdrewhissleeveacrosshiseyesandgavetwomorequickhardstrokesthatreddenedthehand，yethurtthegivermore。
　　“Isn’tthatenough？“heaskedinabreathlesssortoftone。
　　“Twomore，“wasalltheanswer，andhegavethem，hardlyseeingwheretheyfell，thenthrewtheruleallacrosstheroom，andhuggingthekindhandinbothhisown，laidhisfacedownonitsobbingoutinapassionoflove，andshame，andpenitence：
　　“Iwillremember!Oh!Iwill!“
　　ThenMr。Bhaerputanarmabouthim，andsaidinatoneascompassionateasithadjustnowbeenfirm：
　　“Ithinkyouwill。AskthedearGodtohelpyou，andtrytospareusbothanotherscenelikethis。“
　　Tommysawnomore，forhecreptbacktothehall，lookingsoexcitedandsoberthattheboyscrowdedroundhimtoaskwhatwasbeingdonetoNat。
　　InamostimpressivewhisperTommytoldthem，andtheylookedasiftheskywasabouttofall，forthisreversingtheorderofthingsalmosttooktheirbreathaway。