登陆注册
5590700000090

第90章 Down the River(2)

That day,however,they never dreamed of what was in store for them,but chattered away as they cleared up the room,and then ran off ready for play,feeling that they had earned it by work well done.They found the lads just finishing,with Boo to help by picking up the windfalls for the cider-heap,after he had amused himself by putting about a bushel down the various holes old Bun had left behind him.Jack was risking his neck climbing in the most dangerous places,while Frank,with a long-handled apple-picker,nipped off the finest fruit with care,both enjoying the pleasant task and feeling proud of the handsome red and yellow piles all about the little orchard.Merry and Molly caught up baskets and fell to work with all their might,leaving Jill to sit upon a stool and sort the early apples ready to use at once,looking up now and then to nod and smile at her mother who watched her from the window,rejoicing to see her lass so well and happy.

It was such a lovely day,they all felt its cheerful influence;for the sun shone bright and warm,the air was full of an invigorating freshness which soon made the girls'faces look like rosy apples,and their spirits as gay as if they had been stealing sips of new cider through a straw.Jack whistled like a blackbird as he swung and bumped about,Frank orated and joked,Merry and Molly ran races to see who would fill and empty fastest,and Jill sung to Boo,who reposed in a barrel,exhausted with his labors.

"These are the last of the pleasant days,and we ought to make the most of them.Let's have one more picnic before the frost spoils the leaves,"said Merry,resting a minute at the gate to look down the street,which was a glorified sort of avenue,with brilliant maples lining the way and carpeting the ground with crimson and gold.

"Oh,yes!Go down the river once more and have supper on the Island.I couldn't go to some of your picnics,and I do long for a last good time before winter shuts me up again,"cried Jill,eager to harvest all the sunshine she could,for she was not yet quite her old self again.

"I'm your man,if the other fellows agree.We can't barrel these up for a while,so to-morrow will be a holiday for us.Better make sure of the day while you can,this weather can't last long";and Frank shook his head like one on intimate terms with Old Prob.

"Don't worry about those high ones,Jack.Give a shake and come down and plan about the party,"called Molly,throwing up a big Baldwin with what seemed a remarkably good aim,for a shower of apples followed,and a boy came tumbling earthward to catch on the lowest bough and swing down like a caterpillar,exclaiming,as he landed,"I'm glad that job is done!I've rasped every knuckle I've got and worn out the knees of my pants.Nice little crop though,isn't it?""It will be nicer if this young man does not bite every apple he touches.Hi there!Stop it,Boo,"commanded Frank,as he caught his young assistant putting his small teeth into the best ones,to see if they were sweet or sour.

Molly set the barrel up on end,and that took the boy out of the reach of mischief,so he retired from view and peeped through a crack as he ate his fifth pearmain,regardless of consequences.

"Gus will be at home to-morrow.He always comes up early on Saturday,you know.We can't get on without him,"said Frank,who missed his mate very much,for Gus had entered college,and so far did not like it as much as he had expected.

"Or Ralph;he is very busy every spare minute on the little boy's bust,which is getting on nicely,he says;but he will be able to come home in time for supper,I think,"added Merry,remembering the absent,as usual.

"I'll ask the girls on my way home,and all meet at two o'clock for a good row while it's warm.What shall I bring?"asked Molly,wondering if Miss Bat's amiability would extend to making goodies in the midst of her usual Saturday's baking.

"You bring coffee and the big pot and some buttered crackers.I'll see to the pie and cake,and the other girls can have anything else they like,"answered Merry,glad and proud that she could provide the party with her own inviting handiwork.

"I'll take my zither,so we can have music as we sail,and Grif will bring his violin,and Ralph can imitate a banjo so that you'd be sure he had one.I do hope it will be fine,it is so splendid to go round like other folks and enjoy myself,"cried Jill,with a little bounce of satisfaction at the prospect of a row and ramble.

"Come along,then,and make sure of the girls,"said Merry,catching up her roll of work,for the harvesting was done.

Molly put her sack on as the easiest way of carrying it,and,extricating Boo,they went off,accompanied by the boys,"to make sure of the fellows"also,leaving Jill to sit among the apples,singing and sorting like a thrifty little housewife.

同类推荐
  • 秀野林禅师语录

    秀野林禅师语录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 达磨大师血脉论

    达磨大师血脉论

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 薛丁山征西

    薛丁山征西

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 越史略

    越史略

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 新刺袜

    新刺袜

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 十往生阿弥陀佛国经附十往生经真伪决疑

    十往生阿弥陀佛国经附十往生经真伪决疑

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 学会和领导相处

    学会和领导相处

    与人能好好相处,靠的是技巧,与领导相处,更是一门高深的学问。每个人都有直接影响他前程、事业和情绪的领导。你能与领导和睦相处,对你的身心、前途有极大的影响。对于一个职场中人来说,一个欣赏你的领导会充分地帮助你一步步地成长,为你未来的职业发展奠定基石。
  • 噬帝重生

    噬帝重生

    “白胡子老头,你把吃道吹的天花乱坠,我们该如何成道?”“佛说杀一人者一地菩萨,杀十人者二地菩萨……”“停!我们是吃道!”“吃一人得小道,吃百人得中道,吃万人得大道……”“哇……吐!”“师兄!吐完了没有,吐完了过来帮我鉴定下这个美女!”“吃道鉴定术!柳青,人类,中阶食材,匹配食谱……有几率可以获得特殊体质‘流云水体’!”“死色狼!吃老娘一剑!”“师弟,快帮为兄拦住她!”
  • 最强兵王

    最强兵王

    【特种兵第一神书】最强兵王,虎视群雄,为国而战,为民出鞘,只有站死,绝不跪生,无怨无悔!这是一本男人的书!这是一部热血的故事!
  • 重生之至尊丹神

    重生之至尊丹神

    云溪被最相信的人背叛了,死的怨恨至极;天道怜悯,得以重生。既然重来一世,那么以前的一切都要讨回来!
  • 人品决定高度

    人品决定高度

    李嘉诚曾经说过:“我首先是一个人,再是一个商人。”人品,是人生的桂冠和荣耀。在这个竞争激烈、硝烟味十足的年代,想要成功,想要有所作为,就要守住自己的人品,因为守住人品,你就守住了自己最大的财富,守住了自己人生的最大高度。
  • 天下为君:娘子太妖娆

    天下为君:娘子太妖娆

    (完本推荐:《穿越随身空间之凤琉璃》,《农妇空间:孩子王娘亲》《药香农妇:军师相公追妻忙》。新书《千金错:万能农女锄作田》期待大家支持!)(已完结)她是名动四方的第一名妓,一曲倾世之舞,舞得天地尽失颜色。她也是红影楼的楼主,红伞一扬,无数英雄尽出手。一把红伞震天下,混动四方慑人心。他是高高在上的贵家公子,文韬武略,名震京都。当身份截然不同的两人意外相遇,是情缘还是意外?
  • 西域要冲:阳关

    西域要冲:阳关

    “劝君更尽一杯酒,西出阳光无故人”王维笔下幽怨凄凉的别绪,千百年来牵动着多少游子的心弦,也使人们对千古盛传的阳关心驰神往……
  • 苦儿流浪记(语文新课标课外读物)

    苦儿流浪记(语文新课标课外读物)

    语文新课标指定了中小学生的阅读书目,对阅读的数量、内容、质量以及速度都提出了明确的要求,这对于提高广大学生的阅读写作能力,培养语文素养,促进终身学习等具有深远的意义。
  • 老公带着我去拯救世界

    老公带着我去拯救世界

    新书《团宠妹妹六岁半》千年小人参重生成人做团宠的日子!七夕节,不小心走了个夜路。一只冰冷的手臂从她身后环住她,“媳妇,我来找你了。”她吓得想跑,却被冰冷的男人拉着不放……“大哥,你哪位?我不是你媳妇!”“我说你是,你就是!”“大哥,你看我哪好,我改行吗?”朱七七泪奔。“你改了也刚巧是我喜欢的样子。”从那以后,手机,电视,平板,电脑等等,她随便想一下,就会出现在她手上。什么?电视台是她的?什么?这座城也是她的?“媳妇,我的都是你的,而你是我的!”