Theseweretheboysandtheylivedtogetherashappyastwelveladscould，studyingandplaying，workingandsquabbling，fightingfaultsandcultivatingvirtuesinthegoodold-fashionedway。Boysatotherschoolsprobablylearnedmorefrombooks，butlessofthatbetterwisdomwhichmakesgoodmen。Latin，Greek，andmathematicswereallverywell，butinProfessorBhaer’sopinion，selfknowledge，self-help，andself-controlweremoreimportant，andhetriedtoteachthemcarefully。Peopleshooktheirheadssometimesathisideas，evenwhiletheyownedthattheboysimprovedwonderfullyinmannersandmorals。Butthen，asMrs。JosaidtoNat，“itwasanoddschool。“CHAPTERIIISUNDAY
　　ThemomentthebellrangnextmorningNatflewoutofbed，anddressedhimselfwithgreatsatisfactioninthesuitofclotheshefoundonthechair。Theywerenotnew，beinghalf-worngarmentsofoneofthewell-to-doboys；butMrs。Bhaerkeptallsuchcast-offfeathersforthepickedrobinswhostrayedintohernest。TheywerehardlyonwhenTommyappearedinahighstateofcleancollar，andescortedNatdowntobreakfast。
　　Thesunwasshiningintothedining-roomonthewell-spreadtable，andtheflockofhungry，heartyladswhogatheredroundit。Natobservedthattheyweremuchmoreorderlythantheyhadbeenthenightbefore，andeveryonestoodsilentlybehindhischairwhilelittleRob，standingbesidehisfatherattheheadofthetable，foldedhishands，reverentlybenthiscurlyhead，andsoftlyrepeatedashortgraceinthedevoutGermanfashion，whichMr。Bhaerlovedandtaughthislittlesontohonor。ThentheyallsatdowntoenjoytheSunday-morningbreakfastofcoffee，steak，andbakedpotatoes，insteadofthebreadandmilkfarewithwhichtheyusuallysatisfiedtheiryoungappetites。Therewasmuchpleasanttalkwhiletheknivesandforksrattledbriskly，forcertainSundaylessonsweretobelearned，theSundaywalksettled，andplansfortheweekdiscussed。Ashelistened，Natthoughtitseemedasifthisdaymustbeaverypleasantone，forhelovedquiet，andtherewasacheerfulsortofhushovereverythingthatpleasedhimverymuch；because，inspiteofhisroughlife，theboypossessedthesensitivenerveswhichbelongtoamusic-lovingnature。
　　“Now，mylads，getyourmorningjobsdone，andletmefindyoureadyforchurchwhenthe’buscomesround，“saidFatherBhaer，andsettheexamplebygoingintotheschool-roomtogetbooksreadyforthemorrow。
　　Everyonescatteredtohisorhertask，foreachhadsomelittledailyduty，andwasexpectedtoperformitfaithfully。Somebroughtwoodandwater，brushedthesteps，orranerrandsforMrs。Bhaer。Othersfedthepetanimals，anddidchoresaboutthebarnwithFranz。Daisywashedthecups，andDemiwipedthem，forthetwinslikedtoworktogether，andDemihadbeentaughttomakehimselfusefulinthelittlehouseathome。EvenBabyTeddyhadhissmalljobtodo，andtrottedtoandfro，puttingnapkinsaway，andpushingchairsintotheirplaces。Forhalfandhourtheladsbuzzedaboutlikeahiveofbees，thenthe’busdroveround，FatherBhaerandFranzwiththeeightolderboyspiledin，andawaytheywentforathree-miledrivetochurchintown。
　　BecauseofthetroublesomecoughNatpreferedtostayathomewiththefoursmallboys，andspentahappymorninginMrs。Bhaer’sroom，listeningtothestoriesshereadthem，learningthehymnsshetaughtthem，andthenquietlyemployinghimselfpastingpicturesintoanoldledger。
　　“ThisismySundaycloset，“shesaid，showinghimshelvesfilledwithpicture-books，paint-boxes，architecturalblocks，littlediaries，andmaterialsforletter-writing。“IwantmyboystoloveSunday，tofinditapeaceful，pleasantday，whentheycanrestfromcommonstudyandplay，yetenjoyquietpleasures，andlearn，insimpleways，lessonsmoreimportantthananytaughtinschool。Doyouunderstandme？“sheasked，watchingNat’sattentiveface。
　　“Youmeantobegood？“hesaid，afterhesitatingaminute。
　　“Yes；tobegood，andtolovetobegood。Itishardworksometimes，Iknowverywell；butweallhelponeanother，andsowegeton。ThisisoneofthewaysinwhichItrytohelpmyboys，“andshetookdownathickbook，whichseemedhalf-fullofwriting，andopenedatapageonwhichtherewasonewordatthetop。
　　“Why，that’smyname!“criedNat，lookingbothsurprisedandinterested。
　　“Yes；Ihaveapageforeachboy。Ikeepalittleaccountofhowhegetsonthroughtheweek，andSundaynightIshowhimtherecord。IfitisbadIamsorryanddisappointed，ifitisgoodIamgladandproud；
　　but，whicheveritis，theboysknowIwanttohelpthem，andtheytrytodotheirbestforloveofmeandFatherBhaer。“
　　“Ishouldthinktheywould，“saidNat，catchingaglimpseofTommy’snameoppositehisown，andwonderingwhatwaswrittenunderit。
　　Mrs。Bhaersawhiseyeonthewords，andshookherhead，saying，assheturnedaleaf­；
　　“No，Idon’tshowmyrecordstoanybuttheonetowhomeachbelongs。
　　Icallthismyconsciencebook；andonlyyouandIwilleverknowwhatistobewrittenonthepagebelowyourname。WhetheryouwillbepleasedorashamedtoreaditnextSundaydependsonyourself。Ithinkitwillbeagoodreport；atanyrate，Ishalltrytomakethingseasyforyouinthisnewplace，andshallbequitecontentedifyoukeepourfewrules，livehappilywiththeboys，andlearnsomething。“
　　“I’lltryma’am；“andNat’sthinfaceflushedupwiththeearnestnessofhisdesiretomakeMrs。Bhaer“gladandproud，“not“sorryanddisappointed。“
　　“Itmustbeagreatdealoftroubletowriteaboutsomany，“headded，assheshutherbookwithanencouragingpatontheshoulder。
　　“Nottome，forIreallydon’tknowwhichIlikebest，writingorboys，“
　　shesaid，laughingtoseeNatstarewithastonishmentatthelastitem。
　　“Yes，Iknowmanypeoplethinkboysareanuisance，butthatisbecausetheydon’tunderstandthem。Ido；andIneversawtheboyyetwhomIcouldnotgetoncapitallywithafterIhadoncefoundthesoftspotinhisheart。
　　Blessme，Icouldn’tgetonatallwithoutmyflockofdear，noisy，naughty，harum-scarumlittlelads，couldI，myTeddy？“andMrs。Bhaerhuggedtheyoungrogue，justintimetosavethebiginkstandfromgoingintohispocket。
　　Nat，whohadneverheardanythinglikethisbefore，reallydidnotknowwhetherMotherBhaerwasatriflecrazy，orthemostdelightfulwomanhehadevermet。Heratherinclinedtothelatteropinion，inspiteofherpeculiartastes，forshehadawayoffillingupafellow’splatebeforeheasked，oflaughingathisjokes，gentlytweakinghimbytheear，orclappinghimontheshoulder，thatNatfoundveryengaging。
　　“Now，Ithinkyouwouldliketogointotheschool-roomandpractisesomeofthehymnswearetosingto-night，“shesaid，rightlyguessingthethingofallothersthathewantedtodo。
　　Alonewiththebelovedviolinandthemusic-bookproppedupbeforehiminthesunnywindow，whileSpringbeautyfilledtheworldoutside，andSabbathsilencereignedwithin，Natenjoyedanhourortwoofgenuinehappiness，learningthesweetoldtunes，andforgettingthehardpastinthecheerfulpresent。
　　Whenthechurch-goerscamebackanddinnerwasover，everyoneread，wrotelettershome，saidtheirSundaylessons，ortalkedquietlytooneanother，sittinghereandthereaboutthehouse。Atthreeo’clocktheentirefamilyturnedouttowalk，foralltheactiveyoungbodiesmusthaveexercise；
　　andinthesewalkstheactiveyoungmindsweretaughttoseeandlovetheprovidenceofGodinthebeautifulmiracleswhichNaturewasworkingbeforetheireyes。Mr。Bhaeralwayswentwiththem，andinhissimple，fatherlyway，foundforhisflock，“Sermonsinstones，booksintherunningbrooks，andgoodineverything。“
　　Mrs。BhaerwithDaisyandherowntwoboysdroveintotown，topaytheweeklyvisittoGrandma，whichwasbusyMotherBhaer’soneholidayandgreatestpleasure。Natwasnotstrongenoughforthelongwalk，andaskedtostayathomewithTommy，whokindlyofferedtodothehonorsofPlumfield。
　　“You’veseenthehouse，socomeoutandhavealookatthegarden，andthebarn，andthemenagerie，“saidTommy，whentheywereleftalonewithAsia，toseethattheydidn’tgetintomischief；for，thoughTommywasoneofthebest-meaningboyswhoeveradornedknickerbockers，accidentsofthemostdirefulnaturewerealwayshappeningtohim，noonecouldexactlytellhow。
　　“Whatisyourmenagerie？“askedNat，astheytrottedalongthedrivethatencircledthehouse。
　　“Weallhavepets，yousee，andwekeep’eminthecorn-barn，andcallitthemenagerie。Hereyouare。Isn’tmyguinea-pigabeauty？“andTommyproudlypresentedoneoftheugliestspecimensofthatpleasinganimalthatNateversaw。
　　“Iknowaboywithadozenof’em，andhesaidhe’dgivemeone，onlyIhadn’tanyplacetokeepit，soIcouldn’thaveit。Itwaswhite，withblackspots，aregularrouser，andmaybeIcouldgetitforyouifyou’dlikeit，“saidNat，feelingitwouldbeadelicatereturnforTommy’sattentions。
　　“I’dlikeiteversomuch，andI’llgiveyouthisone，andtheycanlivetogetheriftheydon’tfight。ThosewhitemiceareRob’s，Franzgave’emtohim。TherabbitsareNed’s，andthebantamsoutsideareStuffy’s。
　　ThatboxthingisDemi’sturtle-tank，onlyhehasn’tbeguntoget’emyet。
　　Lastyearhehadsixty-two，whackerssomeof’em。Hestampedoneof’emwithhisnameandtheyear，andletitgo；andhesaysmaybehewillfinditeversolongafterandknowit。Hereadaboutaturtlebeingfoundthathadamarkonitthatshoweditmustbehundredsofyearsold。Demi’ssuchafunnychap。“
　　“Whatisinthisbox？“askedNat，stoppingbeforealargedeepone，half-fullofearth。
　　“Oh，that’sJackFord’sworm-shop。Hedigsheapsof’emandkeeps’emhere，andwhenwewantanytogoafishingwith，webuysomeofhim。Itsaveslotsoftrouble，onlyhechargedtoomuchfor’em。Why，lasttimewetradedIhadtopaytwocentsadozen，andthengotlittleones。Jack’smeansometimes，andItoldhimI’ddigformyselfifhedidn’tlowerhisprices。Now，Iowntwohens，thosegrayoneswithtopknots，first-rateonestheyaretoo，andIsellMrs。Bhaertheeggs，butIneveraskhermorethantwenty-fivecentsadozen，never!I’dbeashamedtodoit，“criedTommy，withaglanceofscornattheworm-shop。
　　“Whoownsthedogs？“askedNat，muchinterestedinthesecommercialtransactions，andfeelingthatT。Bangswasamanwhomitwouldbeaprivilegeandapleasuretopatronize。
　　“ThebigdogisEmil’s。HisnameisChristopherColumbus。Mrs。BhaernamedhimbecauseshelikestosayChristopherColumbus，andnoonemindsitifshemeansthedog，“answeredTommy，inthetoneofashow-mandisplayinghismenagerie。“ThewhitepupisRob’s，andtheyellowoneisTeddy’s。
　　Amanwasgoingtodrowntheminourpond，andPaBhaerwouldn’tlethim。
　　Theydowellenoughforthelittlechaps，Idon’tthinkmuchof’emmyself。
　　TheirnamesareCastorandPollux。“
　　“I’dlikeTobythedonkeybest，ifIcouldhaveanything，it’ssonicetoride，andhe’ssolittleandgood，“saidNat，rememberingthewearytrampshehadtakenonhisowntiredfeet。
　　“Mr。LauriesenthimouttoMrs。Bhaer，sosheshouldn’tcarryTeddyonherbackwhenwegotowalk。We’reallfondofToby，andhe’safirst-ratedonkey，sir。Thosepigeonsbelongtothewholelotofus，weeachhaveourpetone，andgosharesinallthelittleonesastheycomealong。Squabsaregreatfun；thereain’tanynow，butyoucangoupandtakealookattheoldfellows，whileIseeifCockletopandGrannyhavelaidanyeggs。“
　　Natclimbedupaladder，puthisheadthroughatrapdoorandtookalonglookattheprettydovesbillingandcooingintheirspaciousloft。
　　Someontheirnests，somebustlinginandout，andsomesittingattheirdoors，whilemanywentflyingfromthesunnyhousetoptothestraw-strewnfarmyard，wheresixsleekcowswereplacidlyruminating。
　　“Everybodyhasgotsomethingbutme。IwishIhadadove，orahen，orevenaturtle，allmyown，“thoughtNat，feelingverypoorashesawtheinterestingtreasuresoftheotherboys。“Howdoyougetthesethings？“
　　heasked，whenhejoinedTommyinthebarn。
　　“Wefind’emorbuy’em，orfolksgive’emtous。Myfathersendsmemine；butassoonasIgeteggmoneyenough，I’mgoingtobuyapairofducks。There’sanicelittlepondfor’embehindthebarn，andpeoplepaywellforduck-eggs，andthelittleduckiesarepretty，andit’sfuntosee’emswim，“saidTommy，withtheairofamillionaire。
　　Natsighed，forhehadneitherfathernormoney，nothinginthewideworldbutanoldemptypocketbook，andtheskillthatlayinhistenfingertips。Tommyseemedtounderstandthequestionandthesighwhichfollowedhisanswer，forafteramomentofdeepthought，hesuddenlybrokeout，­；
　　“Lookhere，I’lltellyouwhatI’lldo。Ifyouwillhunteggsforme，Ihateit，I’llgiveyouoneeggoutofeverydozen。Youkeepaccount，andwhenyou’vehadtwelve，MotherBhaerwillgiveyoutwenty-fivecentsfor’em，andthenyoucanbuywhatyoulike，don’tyousee？“
　　“I’lldoit!Whatakindfelleryouare，Tommy!“criedNat，quitedazzledbythisbrilliantoffer。