Mr。Bhaersuggestedthattheyshouldseewhowouldstudybest，andNanfoundasmuchpleasureinusingherquickwitsandfinememoryasheractivefeetandmerrytongue，whiletheladshadtodotheirbesttokeeptheirplaces，forNanshowedthemthatgirlscoulddomostthingsaswellasboys，andsomethingsbetter。Therewerenorewardsinschool，butMr。
Bhaer’s“Welldone!“andMrs。Bhaer’sgoodreportontheconsciencebook，taughtthemtolovedutyforitsownsake，andtrytodoitfaithfully，suresoonerorlatertherecompensewouldcome。LittleNanwasquicktofeelthenewatmosphere，toenjoyit，toshowthatitwaswhatsheneeded；
forthislittlegardenwasfullofsweetflowers，halfhiddenbytheweeds；
andwhenkindhandsgentlybegantocultivateit，allsortsofgreenshootssprungup，promisingtoblossombeautifullyinthewarmthofloveandcare，thebestclimateforyoungheartsandsoulsalltheworldover。
Asthereisnoparticularplantothisstory，excepttodescribeafewscenesinthelifeatPlumfieldfortheamusementofcertainlittlepersons，wewillgentlyramblealonginthischapterandtellsomeofthepastimesofMrs。Jo’sboys。Ibegleavetoassuremyhonoredreadersthatmostoftheincidentsaretakenfromreallife，andthattheoddestarethetruest；
fornoperson，nomatterhowvividanimaginationhemayhave，caninventanythinghalfsodrollasthefreaksandfanciesthatoriginateinthelivelybrainsoflittlepeople。
DaisyandDemiwerefullofthesewhims，andlivedinaworldoftheirown，peopledwithlovelyorgrotesquecreatures，towhomtheygavethequeerestnames，andwithwhomtheyplayedthequeerestgames。Oneofthesenurseryinventionswasaninvisiblespritecalled“TheNaughtyKitty-mouse，“
whomthechildrenhadbelievedin，feared，andservedforalongtime。
Theyseldomspokeofittoanyoneelse，kepttheirritesasprivateaspossible；and，astheynevertriedtodescribeiteventothemselves，thisbeinghadavaguemysteriouscharmveryagreeabletoDemi，whodelightedinelvesandgoblins。AmostwhimsicalandtyrannicalimpwastheNaughtyKitty-mouse，andDaisyfoundafearfulpleasureinitsservice，blindlyobeyingitsmostabsurddemands，whichwereusuallyproclaimedfromthelipsofDemi，whosepowersofinventionweregreat。RobandTeddysometimesjoinedintheseceremonies，andconsideredthemexcellentfun，althoughtheydidnotunderstandhalfthatwenton。
OnedayafterschoolDemiwhisperedtohissister，withanominouswagofthehead，­；
“TheKitty-mousewantsusthisafternoon。“
“Whatfor？“askedDaisy，anxiously。
“Asackerryfice，“answeredDemi，solemnly。“Theremustbeafirebehindthebigrockattwoo’clock，andwemustallbringthethingswelikebest，andburnthem!“headded，withanawfulemphasisonthelastwords。
“Oh，dear!IlovethenewpaperdolliesAuntAmypaintedformebestofanything；mustIburnthemup？“criedDaisy，whoneverthoughtofdenyingtheunseentyrantanythingitdemanded。
“Everyone。Ishallburnmyboat，mybestscrapbook，andallmysoldiers，“saidDemifirmly。
“Well，Iwill；butit’stoobadofKitty-mousetowantourverynicestthings，“sighedDaisy。
“Asackerryficemeanstogiveupwhatyouarefondof，sowemust，“explainedDemi，towhomthenewideahadbeensuggestedbyhearingUncleFritzdescribethecustomsoftheGreekstothebigboyswhowerereadingabouttheminschool。
“IsRobcomingtoo，“askedDaisy。
“Yes，andheisgoingtobringhistoyvillage；itisallmadeofwood，youknow，andwillburnnicely。We’llhaveagrandbonfire，andseethemblazeup，won’twe？“
ThisbrilliantprospectconsoledDaisy，andsheateherdinnerwitharowofpaperdollsbeforeher，asasortoffarewellbanquet。
Attheappointedhourthesacrificialtrainsetforth，eachchildbearingthetreasuresdemandedbytheinsatiableKitty-mouse。Teddyinsistedongoingalso，andseeingthatalltheothershadtoys，hetuckedasqueakinglambunderonearm，andoldAnnabellaundertheother，littledreamingwhatanguishthelatteridolwastogivehim。
“Whereareyougoing，mychickens？“askedMrs。Jo，astheflockpassedherdoor。
“Toplaybythebigrock；can’twe？“
“Yes，onlydon’tdonearthepond，andtakegoodcareofbaby。“
“Ialwaysdo，“saidDaisy，leadingforthherchargewithacapableair。
“Now，youmustallsitround，andnotmovetillItellyou。Thisflatstoneisanaltar，andIamgoingtomakeafireonit。“
Demithenproceededtokindleupasmallblaze，ashehadseentheboysdoatpicnics。Whentheflameburnedwell，heorderedthecompanytomarchrounditthreetimesandthenstandinacircle。
“Ishallbegin，andasfastasmythingsareburnt，youmustbringyours。“
Withthathesolemnlylaidonalittlepaperbookfullofpictures，pastedinbyhimself；thiswasfollowedbyadilapidatedboat，andthenonebyonetheunhappyleadensoldiersmarchedtodeath。Notonefalteredorhungback，fromthesplendidredandyellowcaptaintothesmalldrummerwhohadlosthislegs；allvanishedintheflamesandmingledinonecommonpoolofmeltedlead。
“Now，Daisy!“calledthehighpriestofKitty-mouse，whenhisrichofferingshadbeenconsumed，tothegreatsatisfactionofthechildren。
“Mydeardollies，howcanIletthemgo？“moanedDaisy，huggingtheentiredozenwithafacefullofmaternalwoe。
“Youmust，“commandedDemi；andwithafarewellkisstoeach，Daisylaidherbloomingdollsuponthecoals。
“Letmekeepone，thedearbluething，sheissosweet，“besoughtthepoorlittlemamma，clutchingherlastindespair。
“More!more!“growledanawfulvoice，andDemicried，“that’stheKitty-mouse!
shemusthaveeveryone，quick，orshewillscratchus。“
Inwentthepreciousbluebelle，flounces，rosyhat，andall，andnothingbutafewblackflakesremainedofthatbrightband。
“Standthehousesandtreesround，andletthemcatchthemselves；itwillbelikearealfirethen，“saidDemi，wholikedvarietyeveninhis“sackerryfices。“
Charmedbythissuggestion，thechildrenarrangedthedoomedvillage，laidalineofcoalsalongthemainstreet，andthensatdowntowatchtheconflagration。Itwassomewhatslowtokindleowingtothepaint，butatlastoneambitiouslittlecottageblazedup，firedatreeofthepalmspecies，whichfellontotheroofofalargefamilymansion，andinafewminutesthewholetownwasburningmerrily。Thewoodenpopulationstoodandstaredatthedestructionlikeblockheads，astheywere，tilltheyalsocaughtandblazedawaywithoutacry。Ittooksometimetoreducethetowntoashes，andthelookers-onenjoyedthespectacleimmensely，cheeringaseachhousefell，dancinglikewildIndianswhenthesteepleflamedaloft，andactuallycastingonewretchedlittlechurn-shapedlady，whohadescapedtothesuburbs，intotheveryheartofthefire。
ThesuperbsuccessofthislastofferingexcitedTeddytosuchadegree，thathefirstthrewhislambintotheconflagration，andbeforeithadtimeeventoroast，heplantedpoorAnnabellaonthefuneralpyre。Ofcourseshedidnotlikeit，andexpressedheranguishandresentmentinawaythatterrifiedherinfantdestroyer。Beingcoveredwithkid，shedidnotblaze，butdidwhatwasworse，shesquirmed。Firstonelegcurledup，thentheother，inaveryawfulandlifelikemanner；nextsheflungherarmsoverherheadasifingreatagony；herheaditselfturnedonhershoulders，herglasseyesfellout，andwithonefinalwritheofherwholebody，shesankdownablackenedmassontheruinsofthetown。ThisunexpecteddemonstrationstartledeveryoneandfrightenedTeddyhalfoutofhislittlewits。Helooked，thenscreamedandfledtowardthehouse，roaring“Marmar“atthetopofhisvoice。
Mrs。Bhaerheardtheoutcryandrantotherescue，butTeddycouldonlyclingtoherandpouroutinhisbrokenwaysomethingabout“poorBellahurted，““adreatfire，“and“allthedolliesdorn。“Fearingsomediremishap，hismothercaughthimupandhurriedtothesceneofaction，whereshefoundtheblindworshippersofKitty-mousemourningoverthecharredremainsofthelostdarling。
“Whathaveyoubeenat？Tellmeallaboutit，“saidMrs。Jo，composingherselftolistenpatiently，fortheculpritslookedsopenitent，sheforgavethembeforehand。
WithsomereluctanceDemiexplainedtheirplay，andAuntJolaughedtillthetearsrandownhercheeks，thechildrenweresosolemn，andtheplaywassoabsurd。
“Ithoughtyouweretoosensibletoplaysuchasillygameasthis。
IfIhadanyKitty-mouseI’dhaveagoodonewholikedyoutoplayinsafepleasantways，andnotdestroyandfrighten。Justseewhataruinyouhavemade；allDaisy’sprettydolls，Demi’ssoldiers，andRob’snewvillagebesidepoorTeddy’spetlamb，anddearoldAnnabella。Ishallhavetowriteupinthenurserytheversethatusedtocomeintheboxesoftoys，­；“ThechildrenofHollandtakepleasureinmaking，WhatthechildrenofBostontakepleasureinbreaking。“OnlyIshallputPlumfieldinsteadofBoston。“
“Weneverwillagain，truly，truly!“criedtherepentantlittlesinners，muchabashedatthisreproof。
“Demitoldusto，“saidRob。
“Well，IheardUncletellabouttheGreecepeople，whohadaltarsandthings，andsoIwantedtobelikethem，onlyIhadn’tanylivecreaturestosackerryfice，soweburntupourtoys。“
“Dearme，thatissomethinglikethebeanstory，“saidAuntJo，laughingagain。
“Tellaboutit，“suggestedDaisy，tochangethesubject。
“Oncetherewasapoorwomanwhohadthreeorfourlittlechildren，andsheusedtolockthemupinherroomwhenshewentouttowork，tokeepthemsafe。Ondaywhenshewasgoingawayshesaid，’Now，mydears，don’tletbabyfalloutofwindow，don’tplaywiththematches，anddon’tputbeansupyournoses。’Nowthechildrenhadneverdreamedofdoingthatlastthing，butsheputitintotheirheads，andtheminuteshewasgone，theyranandstuffedtheirnaughtylittlenosesfullofbeans，justtoseehowitfelt，andshefoundthemallcryingwhenshecamehome。“
“Didithurt？“askedRob，withsuchintenseinterestthathismotherhastilyaddedawarningsequel，lestaneweditionofthebeanstoryshouldappearinherownfamily。
“Verymuch，asIknow，forwhenmymothertoldmethisstory，IwassosillythatIwentandtrieditmyself。Ihadnobeans，soItooksomelittlepebbles，andpokedseveralintomynose。Ididnotlikeitatall，andwantedtotakethemoutagainverysoon，butonewouldnotcome，andIwassoashamedtotellwhatagooseIbeenthatIwentforhourswiththestonehurtingmeverymuch。AtlastthepaingotsobadIhadtotell，andwhenmymothercouldnotgetitoutthedoctorcame。
ThenIwasputinachairandheldtight，Rob，whileheusedhisuglylittlepincerstillthestonehoppedout。Dearme!howmywretchedlittlenosedidache，andhowpeoplelaughedatme!“andMrs。Joshookherheadinadismalway，asifthememoryofhersufferingswastoomuchforher。
RoblookeddeeplyimpressedandIamgladtosaytookthewarningtoheart。DemiproposedthattheyshouldburypoorAnnabella，andintheinterestofthefuneralTeddyforgothisfright。DaisywassoonconsoledbyanotherbatchofdollsfromAuntAmy，andtheNaughtyKitty-mouseseemedtobeappeasedbythelastofferings，forshetormentedthemnomore。
“Brops“wasthenameofanewandabsorbingplay，inventedbyBangs。
AsthisinterestinganimalisnottobefoundinanyZoologicalGarden，unlessDuChailluhasrecentlybroughtonefromthewildsofAfrica，I
willmentionafewofitspeculiarhabitsandtraits，forthebenefitofinquiringminds。TheBropisawingedquadruped，withahumanfaceofayouthfulandmerryaspect。Whenitwalkstheearthitgrunts，whenitsoarsitgivesashrillhoot，occasionallyitgoeserect，andtalksgoodEnglish。
Itsbodyisusuallycoveredwithasubstancemuchresemblingashawl，sometimesred，sometimesblue，oftenplaid，and，strangetosay，theyfrequentlychangeskinswithoneanother。Ontheirheadstheyhaveahornverylikeastiffbrownpaperlamp-lighter。Wingsofthesamesubstanceflapupontheirshoulderswhentheyfly；thisisneververyfarfromtheground，astheyusuallyfallwithviolenceiftheyattemptanyloftyflights。Theybrowseovertheearth，butcansitupandeatlikethesquirrel。Theirfavoritenourishmentistheseed-cake；applesalsoarefreelytaken，andsometimesrawcarrotsarenibbledwhenfoodisscarce。Theyliveindens，wheretheyhaveasortofnest，muchlikeaclothes-basket，inwhichthelittleBropsplaytilltheirwingsaregrown。Thesesingularanimalsquarrelattimes，anditisontheseoccasionsthattheyburstintohumanspeech，calleachothernames，cry，scold，andsometimestearoffhornsandskin，declaringfiercelythatthey“won’tplay。“Thefewprivilegedpersonswhohavestudiedthemareinclinedtothinkthemaremarkablemixtureofthemonkey，thesphinx，theroc，andthequeercreaturesseenbythefamousPeterWilkins。
Thisgamewasagreatfavorite，andtheyoungerchildrenbeguiledmanyarainyafternoonflappingorcreepingaboutthenursery，actinglikelittlebedlamitesandbeingasmerryaslittlegrigs。Tobesure，itwasratherharduponclothes，particularlytrouser-knees，andjacket-elbows；butMrs。
Bhaeronlysaid，asshepatchedanddarned，­；
“Wedothingsjustasfoolish，andnothalfsoharmless。IfIcouldgetasmuchhappinessoutofitasthelittledearsdo，I’dbeaBropmyself。“
Nat’sfavoriteamusementswereworkinginhisgarden，andsittinginthewillow-treewithhisviolin，forthatgreennestwasafairyworldtohim，andtherehelovedtoperch，makingmusiclikeahappybird。Theladscalledhim“OldChirper，“becausehewasalwayshumming，whistling，orfiddling，andtheyoftenstoppedaminuteintheirworkorplaytolistentothesofttonesoftheviolin，whichseemedtoleadalittleorchestraofsummersounds。Thebirdsappearedtoregardhimasoneofthemselves，andfearlesslysatonthefenceorlitamongtheboughstowatchhimwiththeirquickbrighteyes。Therobinsintheapple-treenearbyevidentlyconsideredhimafriend，forthefatherbirdhuntedinsectsclosebesidehim，andthelittlemotherbroodedasconfidinglyoverherblueeggsasiftheboywasonlyanewsortofblackbirdwhocheeredherpatientwatchwithhissong。Thebrownbrookbabbledandsparkledbelowhim，thebeeshauntedthecloverfieldsoneitherside，friendlyfacespeepedathimastheypassed，theoldhousestretcheditswidewingshospitablytowardhim，andwithablessedsenseofrestandloveandhappiness，Natdreamedforhoursinthisnook，unconsciouswhathealthfulmiracleswerebeingwroughtuponhim。