She wished many a time before they came to the walnut-trees that she
had staid at home. She wished her boyhood's days were over, or had
never been. She couldn't bear Mr. John, and all the children noticed
that she moped, and asked her why.
Well, there were no nuts when they got there, Mr. John had known there
wouldn't be. They should have come much earlier in the day to find
these trees full, and the next trees were too far away. So they
concluded to turn their nutting party into a picnic. They had a basket
of provisions, and Mr. John sent the big boys into the next lot to get
wood for a fire. Then came his grand opportunity for crushing Mollie.
He called her, and she ran to him gladly, ready to take him back to
her favor on his own terms.
"Please, go and help the boys bring wood for our fire," he said. "They
have all gone but you."
She went, but not without giving him a look that actually made him
blush for his rudeness. She went with the aspect of a tragedy queen,
and by the time she overtook the boys she had calmly made up her mind
to two things: never, never again to be friends with Mr.
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