`` O father ! let me stay out and pick . Those horrid squirrels will have my nuts if you do n't . I 'll do my lessons by and by , '' cried Rob , running into the school-room , flushed and tousled by the fresh cold wind and his eager work . `` If you had been up early and done a little every morning there would be no hurry now . I told you that , Rob , and you never minded . I can not have the lessons neglected as the work has been . The squirrels will get more than their share this year , and they deserve it , for they have worked best . You may go an hour earlier , but that is all , '' and Mr. Bhaer led Rob to his place where the little man dashed at his books as if bent on making sure of the precious hour promised him . It was almost maddening to sit still and see the wind shaking down the last nuts , and the lively thieves flying about , pausing now and then to eat one in his face , and flirt their tails , as if they said , saucily , `` We 'll have them in spite of you , lazy Rob . '' The only thing that sustained the poor child in this trying moment was the sight of Teddy working away all alone . It was really splendid the pluck and perseverance of the little lad . He picked and picked till his back ached ; he trudged to and fro till his small legs were tired ; and he defied wind , weariness , and wicked `` quillies , '' till his mother left her work and did the carrying for him , full of admiration for the kind little fellow who tried to help his brother . When Rob was dismissed , he found Teddy reposing in the bushel-basket quite used up , but unwilling to quit the field ; for he flapped his hat at the thieves with one grubby little hand , while he refreshed himself with the big apple held in the other . Rob fell to work and the ground was cleared before two o'clock , the nuts safely in the corn-barn loft , and the weary workers exulted in their success . But Frisky and his wife were not to be vanquished so easily ; and when Rob went up to look at his nuts a few days later he was amazed to see how many had vanished . None of the boys could have stolen them , because the door had been locked ; the doves could not have eaten them , and there were no rats about . There was great lamentation among the young Bhaers till Dick said , `` I saw Frisky on the roof of the corn-barn , may be he took them . '' `` I know he did ! I 'll have a trap , and kill him dead , '' cried Rob , disgusted with Frisky 's grasping nature .
`` Perhaps if you watch , you can find out where he puts them , and I may be able to get them back for you , '' XXXXX Dan , who was much amused by the fight between the boys and squirrels .
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