But no one sat down till Mrs. Bhaer was in her place behind the teapot , with Teddy on her left , and Nat on her right . `` This is our new boy , Nat Blake . After supper you can say how do you do ? Gently , boys , gently . '' As she spoke every one stared at Nat , and then whisked into their seats , trying to be orderly and failing utterly . The Bhaers did their best to have the lads behave well at meal times , and generally succeeded pretty well , for their rules were few and sensible , and the boys , knowing that they tried to make things easy and happy , did their best to obey . But there are times when hungry boys can not be repressed without real cruelty , and Saturday evening , after a half-holiday , was one of those times . `` Dear little souls , do let them have one day in which they can howl and racket and frolic to their hearts ' content . A holiday is n't a holiday without plenty of freedom and fun ; and they shall have full swing once a week , '' Mrs. Bhaer used to say , when prim people wondered why banister-sliding , pillow-fights , and all manner of jovial games were allowed under the once decorous roof of Plumfield . It did seem at times as if the aforesaid roof was in danger of flying off , but it never did , for a word from Father Bhaer could at any time produce a lull , and the lads had learned that liberty must not be abused . So , in spite of many dark predictions , the school flourished , and manners and morals were insinuated , without the pupils exactly knowing how it was done . Nat found himself very well off behind the tall pitchers , with Tommy Bangs just around the corner , and Mrs. Bhaer close by to fill up plate and mug as fast as he could empty them . `` Who is that boy next the girl down at the other end ? '' whispered Nat to his young neighbor under cover of a general laugh . `` That 's Demi Brooke . Mr. Bhaer is his uncle . '' `` What a queer name ! '' `` His real name is John , but they call him Demi-John , because his father is John too . That 's a joke , do n't you see ? '' said Tommy , kindly explaining .
Nat did not XXXXX , but politely smiled , and asked , with interest : `` Is n't he a very nice boy ? ''
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