Squabs are great fun ; there ai n't any now , but you can go up and take a look at the old fellows , while I see if Cockletop and Granny have laid any eggs . '' Nat climbed up a ladder , put his head through a trap door and took a long look at the pretty doves billing and cooing in their spacious loft . Some on their nests , some bustling in and out , and some sitting at their doors , while many went flying from the sunny housetop to the straw-strewn farmyard , where six sleek cows were placidly ruminating . `` Everybody has got something but me . I wish I had a dove , or a hen , or even a turtle , all my own , '' thought Nat , feeling very poor as he saw the interesting treasures of the other boys . `` How do you get these things ? '' he asked , when he joined Tommy in the barn . `` We find 'em or buy 'em , or folks give 'em to us . My father sends me mine ; but as soon as I get egg money enough , I 'm going to buy a pair of ducks . There 's a nice little pond for 'em behind the barn , and people pay well for duck-eggs , and the little duckies are pretty , and it 's fun to see 'em swim , '' said Tommy , with the air of a millionaire . Nat sighed , for he had neither father nor money , nothing in the wide world but an old empty pocketbook , and the skill that lay in his ten finger tips . Tommy seemed to understand the question and the sigh which followed his answer , for after a moment of deep thought , he suddenly broke out , `` Look here , I 'll tell you what I 'll do . If you will hunt eggs for me , I hate it , I 'll give you one egg out of every dozen . You keep account , and when you 've had twelve , Mother Bhaer will give you twenty-five cents for 'em , and then you can buy what you like , do n't you see ? '' `` I 'll do it ! What a kind feller you are , Tommy ! '' cried Nat , quite dazzled by this brilliant offer . `` Pooh ! that is not anything . You begin now and rummage the barn , and I 'll wait here for you .
Granny is cackling , so you 're sure to XXXXX one somewhere , '' and Tommy threw himself down on the hay with a luxurious sense of having made a good bargain , and done a friendly thing .
've buy dove find go hate lay saw see sitting