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 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 XXXXX , to see if they were sweet or sour .
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