` So 't is , ' assented Dan heartily . ' I seem to want to root somewhere and have folks of my own to take care of . Tired of my own company , I suppose , now I 've seen so much better . I 'm a rough , ignorant lot , and I 've been thinking maybe I 've missed it loafing round creation , instead of going in for education as the other chaps did . Hey ? ' He looked anxiously at Mrs Jo ; and she tried to hide the surprise this new outburst caused her ; for till now Dan had scorned books and gloried in his freedom . ` No ; I do n't think so in your case . So far I 'm sure the free life was best . Now that you are a man you can control that lawless nature better ; but as a boy only great activity and much adventure could keep you out of mischief . Time is taming my colt , you see , and I shall yet be proud of him , whether he makes a pack-horse of himself to carry help to the starving or goes to ploughing as Pegasus did . ' Dan liked the comparison , and smiled as he lounged in the sofa-corner , with the new thoughtfulness in his eyes . ` Glad you think so . The fact is it 's going to take a heap of taming to make me go well in harness anywhere . I want to , and I try now and then , but always kick over the traces and run away . No lives lost yet ; but I should n't wonder if there was some time , and a general smash-up . ' ` Why , Dan , did you have any dangerous adventures during this last absence ? I fancied so , but did n't ask before , knowing you 'd tell me if I could help in any way . Can I ? ' And Mrs Jo looked anxiously at him ; for a sudden lowering expression had come into his face , and he leaned forward as if to hide it . ` Nothing very bad ; but ` Frisco is n't just a heaven on earth , you know , and it 's harder to be a saint there than here , ' he answered slowly ; then , as if he had made up his mind to '' fess ' , as the children used to say , he sat up , and added rapidly , in a half-defiant , half-shamefaced way , ' I tried gambling , and it was n't good for me . '
` Was that how you XXXXX your money ? '
'm 's answered come looked lost made see taming wonder