Nat 's heart died within him as he imagined the effect these glowing tales would have at Plumfield -- not that he had wilfully deceived them , but in his letters many things were left untold ; and when Carlsen added , with a friendly wink , that he would merely hint at the coming betrothal of the fair Minna and his ` heart 's friend ' , Nat found himself devoutly hoping that this other inconvenient heart 's friend might go to the bottom of the sea before he reached Plumfield to blast all his hopes by these tales of a mis-spent winter . Collecting his wits , he cautioned Carlsen with what he flattered himself was Mephistophelian art , and gave him such confused directions that it would be a miracle if he ever found Professor Bhaer . But the dinner was spoilt for Nat , and he got away as soon as possible , to wander disconsolately about the streets , with no heart for the theatre or the supper he was to share with some gay comrades afterwards . He comforted himself a little by giving alms to sundry beggars , making two children happy with gilded gingerbread , and drinking a lonely glass of beer , in which he toasted his Daisy and wished himself a better year than the last had been . Going home at length , he found a third surprise awaiting him in the shower of bills which had descended upon him like a snowstorm , burying him in an avalanche of remorse , despair , and self-disgust . These bills were so many and so large that he was startled and dismayed ; for , as Mr Bhaer wisely predicted , he knew little about the value of money . It would take every dollar at the bankers to pay them all at once , and leave him penniless for the next six months , unless he wrote home for more . He would rather starve than do that ; and his first impulse was to seek help at the gaming-table , whither his new friends had often tempted him . But he had promised Mr Bhaer to resist what then had seemed an impossible temptation ; and now he would not add another fault to the list already so long . Borrow he would not , nor beg . What could he do ? For these appalling bills must be paid , and the lessons go on ; or his journey was an ignominious failure . But he must live meantime . And how ? Bowed down with remorse for the folly of these months , he saw too late whither he was drifting , and for hours paced up and down his pretty rooms , floundering in a Slough of Despond , with no helping hand to pull him out -- at least he thought so till letters were brought in , and among fresh bills lay one well-worn envelope with an American stamp in the corner . Ah , how welcome it was ! how eagerly he read the long pages full of affectionate wishes from all at home ! For everyone had sent a line , and as each familiar name appeared , his eyes grew dimmer and dimmer till , as he read the last -- ` God bless my boy ! Mother Bhaer ' -- he broke down ; and laying his head on his arms , blistered the paper with a rain of tears that eased his heart and washed away the boyish sins that now lay so heavy on his conscience . ` Dear people , how they love and trust me !
And how bitterly they would be disappointed if they XXXXX what a fool I 've been !
Borrow beg blistered dismayed knew lay pay read tempted trust