Little Men by Louisa May Alcott

a gravity beautiful to behold. Nat was called upon to wrestle with Stuffy, and speedily laid that stout youth upon the ground. After this, Tommy proudly advanced to turn a somersault, an accomplishment which he had acquired by painful perseverance, practising in private till every joint of his little frame was black and blue. His feats were received with great applause, and he was about to retire, flushed with pride and a rush of blood to the head, when a scornful voice in the audience was heard to say,
    "Ho! that ain't any thing!"
    "Say that again, will you?" and Tommy bristled up like an angry turkey–cock.
    "Do you want to fight?" said Dan, promptly descending from the barrel and doubling up his fists in a business–like manner.
    "No, I don't;" and the candid Thomas retired a step, rather taken aback by the proposition.
    "Fighting isn't allowed!" cried the others, much excited.
    "You're a nice lot," sneered Dan.
    "Come, if you don't behave, you shan't stay," said Nat, firing up at that insult to his friends.
    "I'd like to see him do better than I did, that's all," observed Tommy, with a swagger.
    "Clear the way, then," and without the slightest preparation Dan turned three somersaults one after the other and came up on his feet.
    "You can't beat that, Tom; you always hit your head and tumble flat," said Nat, pleased at his friend's success.
    Before he could say any more the audience were electrified by three more somersaults backwards, and a short promenade on the hands, head down, feet up. This brought down the house, and Tommy joined in the admiring cries which greeted the accomplished gymnast as he righted himself, and looked at them with an air of calm superiority.
    "Do you think I could learn to do it without its hurting me very much?" Tom meekly asked, as he rubbed the elbows which still smarted after the last attempt.
    "What will you give me if I'll teach you?" said Dan.
    "My new jack–knife; it's got five blades, and only one is broken."
    "Give it here, then."
    Tommy handed it over with an affectionate look at its smooth handle. Dan examined it carefully, then putting it into his pocket, walked off, saying with a wink,
    "Keep it up till you learn, that's all."
    A howl of wrath from Tommy was followed by a general uproar, which did not subside till Dan, finding himself in a minority, proposed that they should play stick–knife, and whichever won should have the treasure. Tommy agreed, and the game was played in a circle of excited faces, which all wore an expression of satisfaction, when Tommy won and secured the knife in the depth of his safest pocket.
    "You come off with me, and I'll show you round," said Nat, feeling that he must have a little serious conversation with his friend in private.
    What passed between them no one knew, but when they appeared again, Dan was more respectful to every one, though still gruff in his speech, and rough in his manner; and what else could be expected of the poor lad who had been knocking about the world all his short life with no one to teach him any better?
    The boys had decided that they did not like him, and so they left him to Nat, who soon felt rather oppressed by the responsibility, but too kind–hearted to desert him.
    Tommy, however, felt that in spite of the jack–knife transaction, there was a bond of sympathy between them, and longed to return to the interesting subject of somersaults. He soon found an opportunity, for Dan, seeing how much he admired him, grew more amiable, and by the end of the first week was quite intimate with the lively Tom.
    Mr. Bhaer, when he heard the story and saw Dan, shook his head, but only said quietly,
    "The experiment may cost us something, but we will try it."
    If Dan felt any gratitude for his protection, he did not show it, and took without thanks all that was give him. He was ignorant, but very quick to learn when he chose; had sharp eyes to watch what went on about him; a saucy tongue, rough manners, and a temper that was