I told you that , Rob , and you never minded . I can not have the lessons neglected as the work has been . The squirrels will get more than their share this year , and they deserve it , for they have worked best . You may go an hour earlier , but that is all , '' and Mr. Bhaer led Rob to his place where the little man dashed at his books as if bent on making sure of the precious hour promised him . It was almost maddening to sit still and see the wind shaking down the last nuts , and the lively thieves flying about , pausing now and then to eat one in his face , and flirt their tails , as if they said , saucily , `` We 'll have them in spite of you , lazy Rob . '' The only thing that sustained the poor child in this trying moment was the sight of Teddy working away all alone . It was really splendid the pluck and perseverance of the little lad . He picked and picked till his back ached ; he trudged to and fro till his small legs were tired ; and he defied wind , weariness , and wicked `` quillies , '' till his mother left her work and did the carrying for him , full of admiration for the kind little fellow who tried to help his brother . When Rob was dismissed , he found Teddy reposing in the bushel-basket quite used up , but unwilling to quit the field ; for he flapped his hat at the thieves with one grubby little hand , while he refreshed himself with the big apple held in the other . Rob fell to work and the ground was cleared before two o'clock , the nuts safely in the corn-barn loft , and the weary workers exulted in their success . But Frisky and his wife were not to be vanquished so easily ; and when Rob went up to look at his nuts a few days later he was amazed to see how many had vanished . None of the boys could have stolen them , because the door had been locked ; the doves could not have eaten them , and there were no rats about . There was great lamentation among the young Bhaers till Dick said , `` I saw Frisky on the roof of the corn-barn , may be he took them . '' `` I know he did ! I 'll have a trap , and kill him dead , '' cried Rob , disgusted with Frisky 's grasping nature . `` Perhaps if you watch , you can find out where he puts them , and I may be able to get them back for you , '' said Dan , who was much amused by the fight between the boys and squirrels . So Rob watched and saw Mr. and Mrs. Frisky drop from the drooping elm boughs on to the roof of the corn-barn , dodge in at one of the little doors , much to the disturbance of the doves , and come out with a nut in each mouth . So laden they could not get back the way they came , but ran down the low roof , along the wall , and leaping off at a corner they vanished a minute and re-appeared without their plunder . Rob ran to the place , and in a hollow under the leaves he found a heap of the stolen property hidden away to be carried off to the holes by and by . `` Oh , you little villains !
I 'll cheat you now , and not leave one , '' said XXXXX .
Dan Dick Frisky Rob corn-barn fro left minute o'clock squirrels