`` Roast apples , pop corn , and crack nuts . '' `` Good ! good ! '' cried several ; and when the vote was taken , Stuffy 's proposal carried the day . Some went to the cellar for apples , some to the garret for nuts , and others looked up the popper and the corn . `` We had better ask the girls to come in , had n't we ? '' said Demi , in a sudden fit of politeness . `` Daisy pricks chestnuts beautifully , '' put in Nat , who wanted his little friend to share the fun . `` Nan pops corn tip-top , we must have her , '' added Tommy . `` Bring in your sweethearts then , we do n't mind , '' said Jack , who laughed at the innocent regard the little people had for one another . `` You sha n't call my sister a sweetheart ; it is so silly ! '' cried Demi , in a way that made Jack laugh . `` She is Nat 's darling , is n't she , old chirper ? '' `` Yes , if Demi do n't mind . I ca n't help being fond of her , she is so good to me , '' answered Nat , with bashful earnestness , for Jack 's rough ways disturbed him . `` Nan is my sweetheart , and I shall marry her in about a year , so do n't you get in the way , any of you , '' said Tommy , stoutly ; for he and Nan had settled their future , child-fashion , and were to live in the willow , lower down a basket for food , and do other charmingly impossible things . Demi was quenched by the decision of Bangs , who took him by the arm and walked him off to get the ladies . Nan and Daisy were sewing with Aunt Jo on certain small garments , for Mrs. Carney 's newest baby . `` Please , ma'am , could you lend us the girls for a little while ? We 'll be very careful of them , '' said Tommy , winking one eye to express apples , snapping his fingers to signify pop-corn , and gnashing his teeth to convey the idea of nut-cracking .
The girls understood this pantomime at once , and began to pull of their thimbles before Mrs. Jo could decide whether XXXXX was going into convulsions or was brewing some unusual piece of mischief .
Carney Daisy Jack Nan Nat Tommy chirper garret pop-corn popper