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 Teddy , frowning at little Frisky , who chattered and whisked his tail indignantly . That night a high wind blew down hundreds of nuts , and when Mrs. Jo came to wake her little sons , she said , briskly , `` Come , my laddies , the squirrels are hard at it , and you will have to work well to-day , or they will have every nut on the ground . '' `` No , they wo n't , '' and Robby tumbled up in a great hurry , gobbled his breakfast , and rushed out to save his property . Teddy went too , and worked like a little beaver , trotting to and fro with full and empty baskets . Another bushel was soon put away in the corn-barn , and they were scrambling among the leaves for more nuts when the bell rang for school . `` O father ! let me stay out and pick .
Those horrid XXXXX will have my nuts if you do n't .
Frisky Ted corn-barn crotches fall fro left night squirrels twick