As the days passed, Tommy and Jack began to admire Dan because he was courageous. Demi, who loved to read, regarded Dan as a walking storybook. That was because Dan could describe his adventures in a most exciting way.
It pleased Dan that the boys liked him, so he made an effort to be friendly. But he felt that Jo and the professor didn't trust him, so he took delight in trying their patience.
One of Mr. Bauer's strictest rules was no fighting. "You should never fight," he reminded the boys one day. "It's not an effective way to settle a dispute or entertain others."
"What a stupid rule!" Dan said under his breath.
Later that afternoon the boys were bored and looking for something interesting to do.
"Tell us another story about a fight you won," Demi said.
"Never mind that," Tommy said, "I'd like to learn how to box!"
"I'll teach you, but do you promise not to tell Mr. Bauer?" Dan asked.
"Oh, yes!" they all cried at once.
The boys went behind the barn, where Dan proceeded to give them boxing lessons.
That was enough to satisfy Demi, Tommy, and Nat, but Jack wanted a real fight.
"Come on!" Jack challenged Dan. "I bet I could beat you!"
"Yeah," Tommy shouted, "let's see a fight!"
Dan pulled off his jacket, and the match began. But just as the boys started punching each other, Mr. Bauer rushed toward them.
"Stop this at once!" he roared, separating the two fighters. "You should be ashamed of yourselves!"
"Let me go!" Dan shouted. His shirt was torn, and his eye was beginning to swell shut. Jack's chin was covered with blood from a cut lip.
"You know fighting's forbidden here, right?" Mr. Bauer asked Dan in his angriest voice.
"Yes," Dan growled.
"Then why did you break the rule?"
"Every fellow needs to learn to defend himself."
"These boys will do fine without learning how to injure each other. Now go wash up, Jack and Dan, and remember, Dan, if you break any more rules, you'll be sent away."
But that warning only served as a challenge to Dan, who was soon in trouble again.
A week later the boys were out making fishing poles from sticks. On the way home, Tommy was riding the donkey, Toby, and carrying his new pole.
"You look just like a bullfighter, Tommy," Demi said, thinking of a picture in one of his favorite books. "Only you're not wearing fancy clothes or carrying a red cloth."
"Let's have a bullfight!" Dan said, intent on making mischief. "Ride at that old cow over there in the meadow—let's see her run."
"Don't annoy Buttercup!" Demi said.
"You're always such a good little boy," Dan said in a nasty tone. "Why shouldn't we do it?"
"I don't think my uncle Fritz would like it."
"Did he ever forbid bullfights?" Dan demanded.
"No, I don't think so," Demi admitted.
"Then be quiet," Dan said as he pulled a red handkerchief from his pocket. "Here's a rag to wave at the cow, Tommy. I'll help you stir her up."
Dan went over the pasture wall with the others following right behind. Even Demi sat atop the wall and watched the scene with great interest. Tommy rode toward Buttercup and tapped her with his fishing pole.
"Moo!" cried the surprised animal.
"That's it!" Dan called. "Come on, Nat and Jack! Tap her with your poles."
Poor Buttercup trotted around the field, getting more confused and excited every moment. No matter which way she turned, there was a boy with a pole. All at once she leaped over the wall and ran out of sight down the road.
"Catch her!" Dan shouted. "If anything happens to her, Mr. Bauer will send me away!"
Buttercup may have been old, but she led the boys on a merry chase. At last they caught her in a neighbor's flower garden. Borrowing a rope, Dan led her home, followed by a group of solemn boys and the donkey.
"Look, Dan, she's all wet and muddy, and she's limping!" Nat said.
"You're in trouble now," Tommy added.
"So are you," Dan said.
"We all helped except for Demi," Jack said, "but he was the one who first mentioned bullfighting."
"I told Dan not to do it!" Demi protested.
"Well, I guess this is the end for me," Dan said, "but I don't care."
When the professor saw Buttercup and heard the story, he said little. He sent the boys to their rooms, which gave them time to worry about their punishment.
The longer Dan sat on his bed, the more he thought about the warmth and kindness he'd received here, and the hardship and neglect he'd felt elsewhere. But he knew the Bauers were finished with him. "I've lived on the streets before," he told himself defiantly, "and I can do it again!" So he was ready when Mr. Bauer finally knocked on his door.
"You've greatly disappointed us, especially because you're usually so kind to animals," the professor began. He went on, and the more he talked, the worse Dan felt.
"Why doesn't he hurry up and throw me out?" Dan thought as he stared at the floor.
"However," the professor concluded, "I'm giving you one more chance because Mrs. Bauer believes in you. Shall we try again?"
Dan looked up in surprise at this unexpected kindness and blurted out, "Yes, please!"