`` Because she is sweet . '' `` Bees are not sweet . '' `` Give it up . '' `` Because she makes sweet things , is always busy , and likes flowers , '' said Nat , piling up his boyish compliments till Daisy blushed like a rosy clover . `` Why is Nan like a hornet ? '' demanded Tommy , glowering at her , and adding , without giving any one time to answer , `` Because she is n't sweet , makes a great buzzing about nothing , and stings like fury . '' `` Tommy 's mad , and I 'm glad , '' cried Ned , as Nan tossed her head and answered quickly , `` What thing in the china-closet is Tom like ? '' `` A pepper pot , '' answered Ned , giving Nan a nut meat with a tantalizing laugh that made Tommy feel as if he would like to bounce up like a hot chestnut and hit somebody . Seeing that ill-humor was getting the better of the small supply of wit in the company , Franz cast himself into the breach again . `` Let 's make a law that the first person who comes into the room shall tell us a story . No matter who it is , he must do it , and it will be fun to see who comes first . '' The others agreed , and did not have to wait long , for a heavy step soon came clumping through the hall , and Silas appeared , bearing an armful of wood . He was greeted by a general shout , and stood staring about him with a bewildered grin on his big red face , till Franz explained the joke . `` Sho ! I ca n't tell a story , '' he said , putting down his load and preparing to leave the room . But the boys fell upon him , forced him into a seat , and held him there , laughing , and clamoring for their story , till the good-natured giant was overpowered . `` I do n't know but jest one story , and that 's about a horse , '' he said , much flattered by the reception he received . `` Tell it ! tell it ! '' cried the boys .
`` Wal , '' began XXXXX , tipping his chair back against the wall , and putting his thumbs in the arm-holes of his waistcoat , `` I jined a cavalry regiment durin ' the war , and see a consid ` able amount of fightin ' .
Daisy Franz Nan Sho Silas Tom china-closet first hornet ill-humor