He did not know what to say next , so the two stood staring at one another in friendly silence , till the little girl came up with her doll in her arms . She was very like Demi , only not so tall , and had a rounder , rosier face , and blue eyes . `` This is my sister , Daisy , '' announced Demi , as if presenting a rare and precious creature . The children nodded to one another ; and the little girl 's face dimpled with pleasure , as she said affably : `` I hope you 'll stay . We have such good times here ; do n't we , Demi ? '' `` Of course , we do : that 's what Aunt Jo has Plumfield for . '' `` It seems a very nice place indeed , '' observed Nat , feeling that he must respond to these amiable young persons . `` It 's the nicest place in the world , is n't it , Demi ? '' said Daisy , who evidently regarded her brother as authority on all subjects . `` No , I think Greenland , where the icebergs and seals are , is more interesting . But I 'm fond of Plumfield , and it is a very nice place to be in , '' returned Demi , who was interested just now in a book on Greenland . He was about to offer to show Nat the pictures and explain them , when the servant returned , saying with a nod toward the parlor-door : `` All right ; you are to stop . '' `` I 'm glad ; now come to Aunt Jo . '' And Daisy took him by the hand with a pretty protecting air , which made Nat feel at home at once . Demi returned to his beloved book , while his sister led the new-comer into a back room , where a stout gentleman was frolicking with two little boys on the sofa , and a thin lady was just finishing the letter which she seemed to have been re-reading . `` Here he is , aunty ! '' cried Daisy . `` So this is my new boy ? I am glad to see you , my dear , and hope you 'll be happy here , '' said the lady , drawing him to her , and stroking back the hair from his forehead with a kind hand and a motherly look , which made Nat 's lonely little heart yearn toward her . She was not at all handsome , but she had a merry sort of face that never seemed to have forgotten certain childish ways and looks , any more than her voice and manner had ; and these things , hard to describe but very plain to see and feel , made her a genial , comfortable kind of person , easy to get on with , and generally `` jolly , '' as boys would say .
She saw the little tremble of Nat 's lips as she smoothed his hair , and her keen eyes grew softer , but she only drew the shabby figure nearer and XXXXX , laughing : `` I am Mother Bhaer , that gentleman is Father Bhaer , and these are the two little Bhaers .
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