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 Tommy was going into convulsions or was brewing some unusual piece of mischief . Demi explained with elaboration , permission was readily granted , and the boys departed with their prize . `` Do n't you speak to Jack , '' whispered Tommy , as he and Nan promenaded down the hall to get a fork to prick the apples . `` Why not ? '' `` He laughs at me , so I do n't wish you to have any thing to do with him . '' `` Shall , if I like , '' said Nan , promptly resenting this premature assumption of authority on the part of her lord . `` Then I wo n't have you for my sweetheart . '' `` I do n't care . '' `` Why , Nan , I thought you were fond of me ! '' and Tommy 's voice was full of tender reproach . `` If you mind Jack 's laughing I do n't care for you one bit . '' `` Then you may take back your old ring ; I wo n't wear it any longer ; '' and Tommy plucked off a horsehair pledge of affection which Nan had given him in return for one made of a lobster 's feeler . `` I shall give it to Ned , '' was her cruel reply ; for Ned liked Mrs. Giddy-gaddy , and had turned her clothespins , boxes , and spools enough to set up housekeeping with . Tommy said , `` Thunder turtles ! ''
as the only vent equal to the pent-up anguish of the moment , and , dropping Nan 's arm , retired in high dudgeon , leaving her to follow with the fork , a neglect which naughty XXXXX punished by proceeding to prick his heart with jealousy as if it were another sort of apple .
Carney Daisy Giddy-gaddy Nan Nat Ned clothespins pop-corn spools year