Tommy had a basket of thistle-down with the tiny seeds attached , for he meant to plant them next year , if they did not all fly away before that time . Emil had bunches of pop-corn hanging there to dry , and Demi laid up acorns and different sorts of grain for the pets . But Dan 's crop made the best show , for fully one half of the floor was covered with the nuts he brought . All kinds were there , for he ranged the woods for miles round , climbed the tallest trees , and forced his way into the thickest hedges for his plunder . Walnuts , chestnuts , hazelnuts , and beechnuts lay in separate compartments , getting brown , and dry , and sweet , ready for winter revels . There was one butternut-tree on the place , and Rob and Teddy called it theirs . It bore well this year , and the great dingy nuts came dropping down to hide among the dead leaves , where the busy squirrels found them better than the lazy Bhaers . Their father had told them -LRB- the boys , not the squirrels -RRB- they should have the nuts if they would pick them up , but no one was to help . It was easy work , and Teddy liked it , only he soon got tired , and left his little basket half full for another day . But the other day was slow to arrive , and , meantime , the sly squirrels were hard at work , scampering up and down the old elm-trees stowing the nuts away till their holes were full , then all about the crotches of the boughs , to be removed at their leisure . Their funny little ways amused the boys , till one day Silas said , `` Hev you sold them nuts to the squirrels ? '' `` No , '' answered Rob , wondering what Silas meant . `` Wal , then , you 'd better fly round , or them spry little fellers wo n't leave you none . '' `` Oh , we can beat them when we begin . There are such lots of nuts we shall have a plenty . '' `` There ai n't many more to come down , and they have cleared the ground pretty well , see if they hai n't . '' Robby ran to look , and was alarmed to find how few remained . He called Teddy , and they worked hard all one afternoon , while the squirrels sat on the fence and scolded . `` Now , Ted , we must keep watch , and pick up just as fast as they fall , or we sha n't have more than a bushel , and every one will laugh at us if we do n't . '' `` The naughty quillies tar n't have 'em .
I 'll pick fast and run and put 'em in the barn twick , '' said XXXXX , frowning at little Frisky , who chattered and whisked his tail indignantly .
Demi Robby Ted Teddy Wal afternoon bunches crotches day quillies