Dan held him by his little petticoats, lest he should take a "header" into the brook, and Mrs.Jo soon won him to talk by doing so herself.
"I am so glad you told Demi about 'leaves and things;' it is just what he needs; and I wish you would teach him, and take him to walk with you." "I'd like to, he is so bright; but--" "But what ?" "I didn't think you'd trust me." "Why not ?" "Well, Demi is so kind of precious, and so good, and I'm such a bad lot, I thought you'd keep him away from me." "But you are not a 'bad lot,' as you say; and I do trust you, Dan, entirely, because you honestly try to improve, and do better and better every week." "Really ?" and Dan looked up at her with the cloud of despondency lifting from his face.
"Yes; don't you feel it ?" "I hoped so, but I didn't know." "I have been waiting and watching quietly, for I thought I'd give you a good trial first; and if you stood it, I would give you the best reward I had.

You have stood it well; and now I'm going to trust not only Demi, but my own boy, to you, because you can teach them some things better than any of us." "Can I ?" and Dan looked amazed at the idea.
"Demi has lived among older people so much that he needs just what you have knowledge of common things, strength, and courage.

He thinks you are the bravest boy he ever saw, and admires your strong way of doing things.

Then you know a great deal about natural objects, and can tell him more wonderful tales of birds, and bees, and leaves, and animals, than his story-books give him; and, being true, these stories will teach and do him good.

Don't you see now how much you can help him, and why I like to have him with you ?" "But I swear sometimes, and might tell him something wrong.