下载辰思小说免费APP
Thegirlsunderstoodthispantomimeatonce，andbegantopulloftheirthimblesbeforeMrs。JocoulddecidewhetherTommywasgoingintoconvulsionsorwasbrewingsomeunusualpieceofmischief。Demiexplainedwithelaboration，permissionwasreadilygranted，andtheboysdepartedwiththeirprize。
“Don’tyouspeaktoJack，“whisperedTommy，asheandNanpromenadeddownthehalltogetaforktopricktheapples。
“Whynot？“
“Helaughsatme，soIdon’twishyoutohaveanythingtodowithhim。“
“Shall，ifIlike，“saidNan，promptlyresentingthisprematureassumptionofauthorityonthepartofherlord。
“ThenIwon’thaveyouformysweetheart。“
“Idon’tcare。“
“Why，Nan，Ithoughtyouwerefondofme!“andTommy’svoicewasfulloftenderreproach。
“IfyoumindJack’slaughingIdon’tcareforyouonebit。“
“Thenyoumaytakebackyouroldring；Iwon’twearitanylonger；“
andTommypluckedoffahorsehairpledgeofaffectionwhichNanhadgivenhiminreturnforonemadeofalobster’sfeeler。
“IshallgiveittoNed，“washercruelreply；forNedlikedMrs。Giddy-gaddy，andhadturnedherclothespins，boxes，andspoolsenoughtosetuphousekeepingwith。
Tommysaid，“Thunderturtles!“astheonlyventequaltothepent-upanguishofthemoment，and，droppingNan’sarm，retiredinhighdudgeon，leavinghertofollowwiththefork，；aneglectwhichnaughtyNanpunishedbyproceedingtoprickhisheartwithjealousyasifitwereanothersortofapple。
Thehearthwasswept，andtherosyBaldwinsputdowntoroast。Ashovelwasheated，andthechestnutsdancedmerrilyuponit，whilethecornpoppedwildlyinitswireprison。Dancrackedhisbestwalnuts，andeveryonechatteredandlaughed，whiletherainbeatonthewindow-paneandthewindhowledroundthehouse。
“WhyisBillylikethisnut？“askedEmil，whowasfrequentlyinspiredwithbadconundrums。
“Becauseheiscracked，“answeredNed。
“That’snotfair；youmustn’tmakefunofBilly，becausehecan’thitbackagain。It’smean，“criedDan，smashinganutwrathfully。
“TowhatfamilyofinsectsdoesBlakebelong？“askedpeacemakerFranz，seeingthatEmillookedashamedandDanlowering。
“Gnats，“answeredJack。
“WhyisDaisylikeabee？“criedNat，whohadbeenwraptinthoughtforseveralminutes。
“Becausesheisqueenofthehive，“saidDan。
“No。“
“Becausesheissweet。“
“Beesarenotsweet。“
“Giveitup。“
“Becauseshemakessweetthings，isalwaysbusy，andlikesflowers，“
saidNat，pilinguphisboyishcomplimentstillDaisyblushedlikearosyclover。
“WhyisNanlikeahornet？“demandedTommy，gloweringather，andadding，withoutgivinganyonetimetoanswer，“Becausesheisn’tsweet，makesagreatbuzzingaboutnothing，andstingslikefury。“
“Tommy’smad，andI’mglad，“criedNed，asNantossedherheadandansweredquickly；
“Whatthinginthechina-closetisTomlike？“
“Apepperpot，“answeredNed，givingNananutmeatwithatantalizinglaughthatmadeTommyfeelasifhewouldliketobounceuplikeahotchestnutandhitsomebody。
Seeingthatill-humorwasgettingthebetterofthesmallsupplyofwitinthecompany，Franzcasthimselfintothebreachagain。
“Let’smakealawthatthefirstpersonwhocomesintotheroomshalltellusastory。Nomatterwhoitis，hemustdoit，anditwillbefuntoseewhocomesfirst。“
Theothersagreed，anddidnothavetowaitlong，foraheavystepsooncameclumpingthroughthehall，andSilasappeared，bearinganarmfulofwood。Hewasgreetedbyageneralshout，andstoodstaringabouthimwithabewilderedgrinonhisbigredface，tillFranzexplainedthejoke。
“Sho!Ican’ttellastory，“hesaid，puttingdownhisloadandpreparingtoleavetheroom。Buttheboysfelluponhim，forcedhimintoaseat，andheldhimthere，laughing，andclamoringfortheirstory，tillthegood-naturedgiantwasoverpowered。
“Idon’tknowbutjestonestory，
