`` Oh , yes ! Go down the river once more and have supper on the Island . I could n'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 ca n'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 ca n't last long ; '' and Frank shook his head like one on intimate terms with Old Prob . `` Do n'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 , is n'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 ca n'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 XXXXX 's baking .
Saturday apple crop day head holiday knuckle ones river while