Chapter 2 Nat's First Night.
When Nat went into the dining room he saw twelve boys, six on each side of the table, standing behind their proper chairs.
They fidgeted, but no one sat down until Mother Jo had taken her place.
Teddy sat on her left, and Nat sat on her right.
This is our new boy, Nat Blake.
After supper you can say how do you do, but for now let's sit down and eat.
The food was delicious, and Nat ate so much that he thought he might burst.
Tommy Bang sat beside him.
Nat summoned up all his courage and asked, Who's that boy down there at the other end?
He was talking to me earlier, but I can't remember his name.
Why, that's Demi Brooke.
He's Mother Jo's nephew.
That's a funny name.
Nat said, his real name's John, but they call him Demijohn because his father's John, too.
It's a joke, you see.
Only Nat didn't quite see, so he smiled politely and said, he was very nice to me.
You bet he was, and he's real smart, too.
He reads a lot and knows everything.
Who's that fellow beside him?
His name's Franz, Tommy answered.
He's Father Bear's nephew.
He sees to us and teaches some.
Nat looked over at Franz.
"'I saw him playing the flute, didn't I?' he asked.
Tommy nodded, unable to answer because he had just stuffed an entire baked apple into his mouth.
He quickly swallowed and said, "'Oh, Tony, play well, though.
I like a good drum myself, but I'm gonna learn as soon as I can.'
"'I can play the fiddle,' Nat said.
"'You can?'
Tommy half-shouted.
"'Father Bear's got an old fiddle, and I just know he'd let you play it.'
Nat smiled.
Really?
I think I would like that very much.
I used to go around fiddling with my father for money until he died.
Wasn't that fun?
Tommy cried with excitement.
No, it was awful.
We were always outside, winter or summer.
When I got tired, my father got angry, and we never had enough to eat, Nat said.
But I do miss my little fiddle.
Before turning back to his supper, Tommy said Well, we've got a jolly band here that you can play with if you're any good.
Just wait until tomorrow night, you'll see.
Joe looked at the new boy and smiled to herself.
Laurie was right, he was the perfect kind of boy for Plumfield.
Despite his illness, his blue eyes sparkled and she was sure his pale, thin frame would soon be improved with good meals and kindness.
After dinner, Joe had a word with Father Bear, who took his old fiddle out of its case.
Joe came into the schoolroom where the boys were once again playing, and found Nat watching them from the corner.
She walked over to the boy and said, "'Here you go, Nat.
It's Father Bear's, but he's happy to let you use it.
We must have a fiddle in our plumfield band, and we think you're just the boy to play it.'
Nat took the fiddle from her at once and handled it with such care that it was plain to see how much he loved the instrument.
He said, "'I'll do the very best I can.'
He drew the bow across the strings and played quietly as the boys started to gather around him.
As Nat played louder and louder, more people stopped to listen.
His cheeks flushed and fingers flew.
When he finished, they all gave him a hearty round of applause.
You do play first rate, Tommy said.
Of course, you must play with us in the band, Franz added.
Nat smiled.
Father Bear said why don't you come over here by the piano and let's have some songs we can all sing?
It was the proudest moment of Nat's life, as he was led to the place of honor by the piano, beside the other musicians who gathered their instruments.
After a few false starts, they all got going, flute, piano, and fiddle.
Nat tapped his foot in time and played with a great smile on his face.
It was so different to be in a lovely warm room, surrounded by people who were all smiling.
He wasn't out in the cold.
He wasn't playing for pennies.
But then the excitement became a bit too much for little Nat, who turned to face the corner and started to cry.
Whatever is wrong, Joe asked.
Nat answered, you've all been so kind to me, I just can't help it.
And then he started coughing until he had no breath left.
Come with me, my dear, you need to rest.
You're worn out on your first night here.
Joe led the boy back into her parlor where she cuddled with him until he told her all of his troubles.
This is your home now, she replied when he had finished.
All you need to do is get well and strong so you can take part in as much music as your heart wishes.
Then she took him upstairs to see Asia, the maid, who gave Nat a bath and cut his hair.
Before Joe tucked him into bed, she gave him another dose of medicine.
The warm, dry room felt like heaven.
Just as he was about to fall asleep, a pillow fight broke out down the hall.
Nat sat up and looked around for Joe.
She laughed.
We always allow one pillow fight on Saturday night.
We change the pillowcases tomorrow, and it puts the glow back in the boys' faces before bed.
This is such a nice school, Nat said.
It's an odd one, Joe said, but we don't believe in making the children miserable by having too many rules.
We've got a good bargain.
We allow fifteen minutes on Saturday night and the boys promise to go to bed on time every other night, without fail.
So far, it's worked.
Joe rang a small bell and shouted, Time's up, boys.
Everyone get into bed.
Tommy shouted the final battle cheer as Demi threw the very last pillow.
The boys settled into their beds with barely a whisper, and soon all were asleep.
After settling down the boys in the other rooms, Joe came in to kiss Nat on the head and wish him sweet dreams.
