“Hemademedothesamethingonce，“saidEmil，asifconfessingacrimeofthedeepestdye。
“Andyouhithim？dearoldFatherBhaer？Bythunder，I’djustliketoseeyoudoitnow!“saidNed，collaringEmilinafitofrighteouswrath。
“Itwaseversolongago。I’dratherhavemyheadcutoffthandoitnow，“andEmilmildlylaidNedonhisbackinsteadofcuffinghim，ashewouldhavefeltithisdutytodoonanylesssolemnoccasion。
“Howcouldyou？“saidDemi，appalledattheidea。
“Iwashoppingmadatthetime，andthoughtIshouldn’tmindabit，ratherlikeitperhaps。ButwhenI’dhituncleonegoodcrack，everythinghehadeverdoneformecameintomyheadallatoncesomehow，andIcouldn’tgoon。Nosir!Ifhe’dlaidmedownandwalkedonme，Iwouldn’thaveminded，Ifeltsomean，“andEmilgavehimselfagoodthumpinthechesttoexpresshissenseofremorseforthepast。
“Nat’scryinglikeanything，andfeelsnoendsorry，sodon’tlet’ssayawordaboutit；willwe？“saidtender-heartedTommy。
“Ofcoursewewon’t，butit’sawfultotelllies，“andDemilookedasifhefoundtheawfulnessmuchincreasedwhenthepunishmentfellnotuponthesinner，buthisbestUncleFritz。
“Supposeweallclearout，soNatcancutupstairsifhewantsto，“
proposedFranz，andledthewaytothebarn，theirrefugeintroubloustimes。
Natdidnotcometodinner，butMrs。Jotooksomeuptohim，andsaidatenderword，whichdidhimgood，thoughhecouldnotlookather。Byandbytheladsplayingoutsideheardtheviolin，andsaidamongthemselves：
“He’sallrightnow。“Hewasallright，butfeltshyaboutgoingdown，tillopeninghisdoortoslipawayintothewoods，hefoundDaisysittingonthestairswithneitherworknordoll，onlyherlittlehandkerchiefinherhand，asifshehadbeenmourningforhercaptivefriend。
“I’mgoingtowalk；wanttocome？“askedNat，tryingtolookasifnothingwasthematter，yetfeelingverygratefulforhersilentsympathy，becausehefanciedeveryonemustlookuponhimasawretch。
“Ohyes!“andDaisyranforherhat，proudtobechosenasacompanionbyoneofthebigboys。
Theotherssawthemgo，butnoonefollowed，forboyshaveagreatdealmoredelicacythantheygetcreditfor，andtheladsinstinctivelyfeltthat，whenindisgrace，gentlelittleDaisywastheirmostcongenialfriend。
ThewalkdidNatgood，andhecamehomequieterthanusual，butlookingcheerfulagain，andhungalloverwithdaisy-chainsmadebyhislittleplaymatewhilehelayonthegrassandtoldherstories。
Noonesaidawordaboutthesceneofthemorning，butitseffectwasallthemorelastingforthatreason，perhaps。Nattriedhisverybest，andfoundmuchhelp，notonlyfromtheearnestlittleprayersheprayedtohisFriendinheaven，butalsointhepatientcareoftheearthlyfriendwhosekindhandhenevertouchedwithoutrememberingthatithadwillinglybornepainforhissake。
“What’sthematter，Daisy？“
“Theboyswon’tletmeplaywiththem。“
“Whynot？“
“Theysaygirlscan’tplayfootball。“
“Theycan，forI’vedoneit!“andMrs。Bhaerlaughedattheremembranceofcertainyouthfulfrolics。
“IknowIcanplay；DemiandIusedto，andhavenicetimes，buthewon’tletmenowbecausetheotherboyslaughathim，“andDaisylookeddeeplygrievedatherbrother’shardnessofheart。
“Onthewhole，Ithinkheisright，deary。It’sallverywellwhenyoutwoarealone，butitistooroughagameforyouwithadozenboys；soI’dfindsomenicelittleplayformyself。“
“I’mtiredofplayingalone!“andDaisy’stonewasverymournful。
“I’llplaywithyoubyandby，butjustnowImustflyaboutandgetthingsreadyforatripintotown。Youshallgowithmeandseemamma，andifyoulikeyoucanstaywithher。“
“IshouldliketogoandseeherandBabyJosy，butI’drathercomeback，please。Demiwouldmissme，andIlovetobehere，Aunty。“
“Youcan’tgetonwithoutyourDemi，canyou？“andAuntJolookedasifshequiteunderstoodtheloveofthelittlegirlforheronlybrother。
“’CourseIcan’t；we’retwins，andsoweloveeachothermorethanotherpeople，“answeredDaisy，withabrighteningface，forsheconsideredbeingatwinoneofthehighesthonorsshecouldeverreceive。
“Now，whatwillyoudowithyourlittleselfwhileIflyaround？“askedMrs。Bhaer，whowaswhiskingpilesoflinenintoawardrobewithgreatrapidity。
“Idon’tknow，I’mtiredofdollsandthings；Iwishyou’dmakeupanewplayforme，AuntyJo，“saidDaisy，swinginglistlesslyonthedoor。
“Ishallhavetothinkofabrandnewone，anditwilltakemesometime；sosupposeyougodownandseewhatAsiahasgotforyourlunch，“
suggestedMrs。Bhaer，thinkingthatwouldbeagoodwayinwhichtodisposeofthelittlehindranceforatime。
“Yes，IthinkI’dlikethat，ifsheisn’tcross，“andDaisyslowlydepartedtothekitchen，whereAsia，theblackcook，reignedundisturbed。
Infiveminutes，Daisywasbackagain，withawide-awakeface，abitofdoughinherhandandadabofflouronherlittlenose。
“Ohaunty!PleasecouldIgoandmakegingersnapsandthings？Asiaisn’tcross，andshesaysImay，anditwouldbesuchfun，pleasedo，“criedDaisy，allinonebreath。
“Justthething，goandwelcome，makewhatyoulike，andstayaslongasyouplease，“answeredMrs。Bhaer，muchrelieved，forsometimestheonelittlegirlwashardertoamusethanthedozenboys。
Daisyranoff，andwhilesheworked，AuntJorackedherbrainforanewplay。Allofasuddensheseemedtohaveanidea，forshesmiledtoherself，slammedthedoorsofthewardrobe，andwalkedbrisklyaway，saying，“I’lldoit，ifit’sapossiblething!“
Whatitwasnoonefoundoutthatday，butAuntJo’seyestwinkledsowhenshetoldDaisyshehadthoughtofanewplay，andwasgoingtobuyit，thatDaisywasmuchexcitedandaskedquestionsallthewayintotown，withoutgettinganswersthattoldheranything。Shewasleftathometoplaywiththenewbaby，anddelighthermother’seyes，whileAuntJowentoffshopping。Whenshecamebackwithallsortsofqueerparcelsincornersofthecarry-all，DaisywassofullofcuriositythatshewantedtogobacktoPlumfieldatonce。Butherauntwouldnotbehurried，andmadealongcallinmamma’sroom，sittingonthefloorwithbabyinherlap，makingMrs。Brookelaughatthepranksoftheboys，andallsortsofdrollnonsense。
HowheraunttoldthesecretDaisycouldnotimagine，buthermotherevidentlyknewit，forshesaid，asshetiedonthelittlebonnetandkissedtherosylittlefaceinside，“Beagoodchild，myDaisy，andlearnthenicenewplayauntyhasgotforyou。It’samostusefulandinterestingone，anditisverykindofhertoplayitwithyou，becauseshedoesnotlikeitverywellherself。“
Thislastspeechmadethetwoladieslaughheartily，andincreasedDaisy’sbewilderment。Astheydroveawaysomethingrattledinthebackofthecarriage。
“What’sthat？“askedDaisy，prickingupherears。
“Thenewplay，“answeredMrs。Jo，solemnly。
“Whatisitmadeof？“criedDaisy。
“Iron，tin，wood，brass，sugar，salt，coal，andahundredotherthings。“
“Howstrange!Whatcolorisit？“
“Allsortsofcolors。“
“Isitlarge？“
“Partofitis，andapartisn’t。“
“DidIeverseeone？“
“Eversomany，butneveronesoniceasthis。“
“Oh!whatcanitbe？Ican’twait。WhenshallIseeit？“andDaisybouncedupanddownwithimpatience。
“To-morrowmorning，afterlessons。“
“Isitfortheboys，too？“
“No，allforyouandBess。Theboyswillliketoseeit，andwanttoplayonepartofit。Butyoucandoasyoulikeaboutlettingthem。“
“I’llletDemi，ifhewantsto。“
“Nofearthattheywon’tallwantto，especiallyStuffy，“andMrs。Bhaer’seyestwinkledmorethaneverasshepattedaqueerknobbybundleinherlap。
“Letmefeeljustonce，“prayedDaisy。
“Notafeel；you’dguessinaminuteandspoilthefun。“
Daisygroanedandthensmiledalloverherface，forthroughalittleholeinthepapershecaughtaglimpseofsomethingbright。
“HowcanIwaitsolong？Couldn’tIseeittoday？“
“Ohdear，no!Ithasgottobearranged，andeversomanypartsfixedintheirplaces。IpromisedUncleTeddythatyoushouldn’tseeittillitwasallinapple-pieorder。“
“Ifuncleknowsaboutitthenitmustbesplendid!“criedDaisy，clappingherhands；forthiskind，rich，jollyuncleofherswasasgoodasafairygodmothertothechildren，andwasalwaysplanningmerrysurprises，prettygifts，anddrollamusementsforthem。
“Yes；Teddywentandboughtitwithme，andwehadsuchfunintheshopchoosingthedifferentparts。Hewouldhaveeverythingfineandlarge，andmylittleplangotregularlysplendidwhenhetookhold。Youmustgivehimyourverybestkisswhenhecomes，forheisthekindestunclethateverwentandboughtacharminglittlecoo­；Blessme!Inearlytoldyouwhatitwas!“andMrs。Bhaercutthatmostinterestingwordshortoffinthemiddle，andbegantolookoverherbills，asifafraidshewouldletthecatoutofthebagifshetalkedanymore。Daisyfoldedherhandswithanairofresignation，andsatquitestilltryingtothinkwhatplayhada“coo“init。
Whentheygothomesheeyedeverybundlethatwastakenout，andonelargeheavyone，whichFranztookstraightupstairsandhidinthenursery，filledherwithamazementandcuriosity。Somethingverymysteriouswentonuptherethatafternoon，forFranzwashammering，andAsiatrottingupanddown，andAuntJoflyingaroundlikeawill-o’-the-wisp，withallsortofthingsunderherapron，whilelittleTed，whowastheonlychildadmitted，becausehecouldn’ttalkplain，babbledandlaughed，andtriedtotellwhatthe“sumpinpitty“was。
AllthismadeDaisyhalf-wild，andherexcitementspreadamongtheboys，whoquiteoverwhelmedMotherBhaerwithoffersofassistance，whichshedeclinedbyquotingtheirownwordstoDaisy：
“Girlscan’tplaywithboys。ThisisforDaisy，andBess，andme，sowedon’twantyou。“Whereupontheyounggentlemenmeeklyretired，andinvitedDaisytoagameofmarbles，horse，football，anythingsheliked，withasuddenwarmthandpolitenesswhichastonishedherinnocentlittlesoul。
Thankstotheseattentions，shegotthroughtheafternoon，wentearlytobed，andnextmorningdidherlessonswithanenergywhichmadeUncleFritzwishthatanewgamecouldbeinventedeveryday。Quiteathrillpervadedtheschool-roomwhenDaisywasdismissedateleveno’clock，foreveryoneknewthatnowshewasgoingtohavethenewandmysteriousplay。
Manyeyesfollowedherassheranaway，andDemi’smindwassodistractedbythiseventthatwhenFranzaskedhimwherethedesertofSaharawas，hemournfullyreplied，“Inthenursery，“andthewholeschoollaughedathim。
“AuntJo，I’vedoneallmylessons，andIcan’twaitonesingleminutemore!“criedDaisy，flyingintoMrs。Bhaer’sroom。
“It’sallready，comeon；“andtuckingTedunderonearm，andherworkbasketundertheother，AuntJopromptlyledthewayupstairs。
“Idon’tseeanything，“saidDaisy，staringaboutherasshegotinsidethenurserydoor。
“Doyouhearanything？“askedAuntJo，catchingTedbackbyhislittlefrockashewasmakingstraightforonesideoftheroom。
Daisydidhearanoddcrackling，andthenapurrylittlesoundasofakettlesinging。Thesenoisescamefrombehindacurtaindrawnbeforeadeepbaywindow。Daisysnatcheditback，gaveonejoyful，“Oh!“andthenstoodgazingwithdelightat­；whatdoyouthink？
Awideseatranroundthethreesidesofthewindow；ononesidehungandstoodallsortsoflittlepotsandpans，gridironsandskillets；ontheothersideasmalldinnerandteaset；andonthemiddlepartacooking-stove。
Notatinone，thatwasofnouse，butarealironstove，bigenoughtocookforalargefamilyofveryhungrydolls。Butthebestofitwasthatarealfireburnedinit，realsteamcameoutofthenoseofthelittletea-kettle，andthelidofthelittleboileractuallydancedajig，thewaterinsidebubbledsohard。Apaneofglasshadbeentakenoutandreplacedbyasheetoftin，withaholeforthesmallfunnel，andrealsmokewentsailingawayoutsidesonaturally，thatitdidone’sheartgoodtoseeit。Theboxofwoodwithahodofcharcoalstoodnearby；justabovehungdust-pan，brushandbroom；alittlemarketbasketwasonthelowtableatwhichDaisyusedtoplay，andoverthebackofherlittlechairhungawhiteapronwithabib，andadrollmobcap。Thesunshoneinasifheenjoyedthefun，thelittlestoveroaredbeautifully，thekettlesteamed，thenewtinssparkledonthewalls，theprettychinastoodintemptingrows，anditwasaltogetherascheeryandcompleteakitchenasanychildcoulddesire。
Daisystoodquitestillafterthefirstglad“Oh!“buthereyeswentquicklyfromonecharmingobjecttoanother，brighteningastheylooked，tilltheycametoAuntJo’smerryface；theretheystoppedasthehappylittlegirlhuggedher，sayinggratefully：
“Ohaunty，it’sasplendidnewplay!CanIreallycookatthedearstove，andhavepartiesandmess，andsweep，andmakefiresthattrulyburn？I
likeitsomuch!Whatmadeyouthinkofit？“
“YourlikingtomakegingersnapswithAsiamademethinkofit，“saidMrs。Bhaer，holdingDaisy，whofriskedasifshewouldfly。“IknewAsiawouldn’tletyoumessinherkitchenveryoften，anditwouldn’tbesafeatthisfireuphere，soIthoughtI’dseeifIcouldfindalittlestoveforyou，andteachyoutocook；thatwouldbefun，andusefultoo。SoI
travelledroundamongthetoyshops，buteverythinglargecosttoomuchandIwasthinkingIshouldhavetogiveitup，whenImetUncleTeddy。
AssoonasheknewwhatIwasabout，hesaidhewantedtohelp，andinsistedonbuyingthebiggesttoystovewecouldfind。Iscolded，butheonlylaughed，andteasedmeaboutmycookingwhenwewereyoung，andsaidImustteachBessaswellasyou，andwentonbuyingallsortsofnicelittlethingsformy’cookingclass’ashecalledit。“