`` No , thank you , '' said poor Esther . She felt that she must get away at once or she would burst into heartsick tears under those steely , bland blue eyes . When she got home she shut herself up in her room and cried . There was nothing for her to do but resign , she thought dismally . On the following Saturday Esther went for an afternoon walk , carrying her kodak with her . It was a brilliantly fine autumn day , and woods and fields were basking in a mellow haze . Esther went across lots to Mrs. Charley Cropper 's house , intending to make a call . But the house was locked up and evidently deserted , so she rambled past it to the back fields . Passing through a grove of maples she came out among leafy young saplings on the other side . Just beyond her , with its laden boughs hanging over the line fence , was the famous plum tree . Esther looked at it for a moment . Then an odd smile gleamed over her face and she lifted her kodak . Monday evening Esther called on Mr. Cropper again . After the preliminary remarks in which he indulged , she said , with seeming irrelevance , that Saturday had been a fine day . `` There was an excellent light for snapshots , '' she went on coolly . `` I went out with my kodak and was lucky enough to get a good negative . I have brought you up a proof . I thought you would be interested in it . '' She rose and placed the proof on the table before Mr. Cropper . The plum tree came out clearly .
Bob and Alf Cropper were up XXXXX the boughs picking the plums .
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