4 Nat Settles In

CHAPTER 4 Nat Settles In When Nat went to class on Monday morning, he was afraid to show everyone that he was so far behind. But he needn't have worried. Father Bhaer gave him a seat in the big front window so he could turn his back on the others and say his particular lessons there, where no one could hear him or see how he made a mess of his

notebook. Nat worked so hard on that first day that Father Bhaer remarked, "Don't work too hard, my boy. You will tire yourself out, and there is plenty of time." "But I must work hard or I won't catch up!" Nat said. "The other boys know heaps, and I don't know anything." Despair had crept in as Nat heard the boys recite their grammar, history, and geography with great ease. As Franz took the rest of the class through their multiplication tables, Father Bhaer sat down beside Nat and said, "You know a good many things that they don't know." "I do?" Nat asked. "Yes. For one thing, you read music, and none of the other boys can do that, can they? Best of all, you really care to learn, and that is half the battle. It might be hard at first, but you must keep trying." "I do want to learn," Nat said after some thought. "And I will try, even though it's hard

because I've never gone to school before. I just hope the other lads won't laugh at me." Demi heard this remark and piped up, "No one shall laugh at you—I won't let them!" Having forgotten he was in the middle of a lesson, Demi looked quite surprised when the class stopped in the middle of seven times nine to look up at him. Thinking that a lesson in helping others was more important than math, Father Bhaer explained to the class that Nat had never been to school. Right then, all of the boys promised to help him. After this first day, Jo thought it best that Nat grow healthy before going to school full-time. She kept him busy with his garden and other chores inside until his cheeks were rosy and his thin shoulders were straighter from fresh air and tender care. Jo and Father Bhaer encouraged all of the boys, including Nat, to take on part-time jobs. They would never be rich boys, and good honest

work would prepare them for life after Plumfield. Tommy sold his eggs and Franz helped with the teaching, while other boys built objects to sell. Nat saw all of this hard work and was eager to do his share. One day he came running to Father Bhaer and said, "May I please go into the woods and play the fiddle for some people having a picnic? I'd like to earn some money as the other boys do." Father Bhaer answered, "Of course you may. It's an easy and pleasant way to spend an afternoon, and I'm glad you have the chance to do it." When Nat returned to Plumfield, he had two whole dollars in his pocket. "It's so much nicer than fiddling in the street," he said. "And I get to keep all the money!" Father Bhaer laughed and said, "As long as it doesn't interfere with your lessons, you may go and play the fiddle for the picnickers whenever

you like." "I would never let anything come between me and my lessons!" Nat said. The summer months marched on and Nat grew stronger and smarter each day. Nothing made him prouder than digging away in his little garden, playing his fiddle, and working hard at school. Over the course of a few short months, Nat had truly found a home at Plumfield.