3 A Happy Sunday

CHAPTER 3 A Happy Sunday Nat leaped out of bed the instant the bell rang the next morning. He found new clothes laid out on the chair, and he was almost dressed when Tommy came barreling into his room and said, "Let's go down for breakfast!" Father Bhaer said a short grace, and then everyone enjoyed the Sunday morning feast of

weak tea, steak, and baked potatoes—much more than their usual toast and butter. A walk was planned, and the Sunday lessons were laid out. Nat thought that it would be a wonderful day, for he did love the idea of a quiet peaceful Sunday, even if he had never truly had one. "Now, boys," Father Bhaer said, "run and get your chores done so you can all be ready when the omnibus comes to take us to church." With breakfast finished, everyone set to their tasks. Soon, the older boys were ready and waiting for the bus. Nat still had a bad cough, so he stayed home with the younger boys, who learned their Sunday lessons with Jo in her parlor. "Nat," Jo called, "come and see here." She showed him a closet filled with picture books, paint boxes, building blocks, little diaries, and materials for writing letters. "This is my Sunday closet," she said to him. "I want my boys to love Sunday, to find it a

peaceful, pleasant day—a time to rest and learn the lessons meant for that day." Jo opened a large book and showed it to Nat. "Why, that's my name!" he said. "Yes, I have a page for each boy. I keep a little account of how he gets on through the week and show it to him on Sunday. It's the way I help each of them to be better boys. It's my Conscience Book. No one sees it but me and the boy whose name is at the top of the page." In his whole life, Nat had never met anyone like Mother Jo. While he was thinking this very thought, she tweaked his ear and said, "Why don't you practice the hymns for tonight?" Alone with his beloved fiddle and a new music book, Nat enjoyed an hour or two of genuine happiness before Father Bhaer and the boys returned from church. After lunch, Father Bhaer and many of the boys set out for a walk. Because he was sick, Nat stayed back. Tommy stayed with him. The pair

went for a short stroll around Plumfield so Tommy could show him the land. The long driveway around the house led to an old corn barn. Inside were animals of all shapes and sizes: guinea pigs, mice, birds, a donkey, dogs, and hens.

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"My father sent me the money for the hens once he heard we were to raise them ourselves," Tommy explained, and pointed to a sign that identified the hens as his. "That's how most of the boys got their pets. People either gave 'em to us or we bought them with money from our parents." Nat nodded, sad because he had no parents to send him money for a pet. "Mother Jo lets me sell the eggs to her, and a little bit goes back to my father each time to pay him back. Oh, I always give her a fair price," Tommy said. "I'd be ashamed not to." Nat looked around at all the animals and said, "They are all great pets, but I think if I should have one, I would like the donkey." Tommy nodded. "Mr. Laurie sent Toby over so Mother Jo wouldn't have to carry Teddy on our walks. He is a very good little donkey."