But Mr. Bhaer looked perfectly innocent , and went on glancing from one young face to another , with a grave , wistful look , that said much to his wife , who knew how earnestly he desired to do his duty in these little garden plots . `` As I tell you , some of these beds were easy to cultivate , that means to take care of Daisy , and others were very hard . There was one particularly sunshiny little bed that might have been full of fruits and vegetables as well as flowers , only it would n't take any pains , and when the man sowed , well , we 'll say melons in this bed , they came to nothing , because the little bed neglected them . The man was sorry , and kept on trying , though every time the crop failed , all the bed said , was , ' I forgot . ' '' Here a general laugh broke out , and every one looked at Tommy , who had pricked up his ears at the word `` melons , '' and hung down his head at the sound of his favorite excuse . `` I knew he meant us ! '' cried Demi , clapping his hands . `` You are the man , and we are the little gardens ; are n't we , Uncle Fritz ? '' `` You have guessed it . Now each of you tell me what crop I shall try to sow in you this spring , so that next autumn I may get a good harvest out of my twelve , no , thirteen , plots , '' said Mr. Bhaer , nodding at Nat as he corrected himself . `` You ca n't sow corn and beans and peas in us . Unless you mean we are to eat a great many and get fat , '' said Stuffy , with a sudden brightening of his round , dull face as the pleasing idea occurred to him . `` He do n't mean that kind of seeds . He means things to make us good ; and the weeds are faults , '' cried Demi , who usually took the lead in these talks , because he was used to this sort of thing , and liked it very much . `` Yes , each of you think what you need most , and tell me , and I will help you to grow it ; only you must do your best , or you will turn out like Tommy 's melons , all leaves and no fruit . I will begin with the oldest , and ask the mother what she will have in her plot , for we are all parts of the beautiful garden , and may have rich harvests for our Master if we love Him enough , '' said Father Bhaer . `` I shall devote the whole of my plot to the largest crop of patience I can get , for that is what I need most , '' said Mrs. Jo , so soberly that the lads fell to thinking in good earnest what they should say when their turns came , and some among them felt a twinge of remorse , that they had helped to use up Mother Bhaer 's stock of patience so fast . Franz wanted perseverance , Tommy steadiness , Ned went in for good temper , Daisy for industry , Demi for `` as much wiseness as Grandpa , '' and Nat timidly said he wanted so many things he would let Mr. Bhaer choose for him . The others chose much the same things , and patience , good temper , and generosity seemed the favorite crops . One boy wished to like to get up early , but did not know what name to give that sort of seed ; and poor Stuffy sighed out , `` I wish I loved my lessons as much as I do my dinner , but I ca n't . ''
`` We will plant self-denial , and hoe it and water it , and make it XXXXX so well that next Christmas no one will get ill by eating too much dinner .
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