"'It's as provoking as Aunt Betsey herself,' said Nelly, as we sat down, out of breath.
"'I wish the wind would come and blow 'em down for us,' panted I, staring up at the plums with longing eyes.
"'If wishing would do any good, I should wish 'em in my lap at once,' added Nelly.
"'You might as well wish 'em in your mouth and done with it, if you are too lazy to pick 'em up. If the ladder wasn't too heavy we could try that,' said I, determined to have them.
"'You know we can't stir it, so what is the use of talking about it? You proposed getting the plums, now let's see you do it,' answered Nelly, rather crossly, for she had bitten the green plum, and it puckered her mouth.
"'Wait a minute, and you will see me do it,' cried I, as a new thought came into my naughty head.
"'What are you taking your shoes and socks off for? You can't climb the tree, Fan.'
"'Don't ask questions, but be ready to pick 'em up when they fall, Miss Lazybones.'
"With this mysterious speech I pattered into the house bare-footed and full of my plan. Up stairs I went to a window opening on the shed roof. Out I got, and creeping carefully along till I came near the tree, I stood up, and suddenly crowed like the little rooster. Nelly looked up, and stared, and laughed, and clapped her hands when she saw what I was going to do.
"'I'm afraid you'll slip and get hurt.'
"'Don't care if I do; I'll have those plums if I break my neck doing it,' and half sliding, half walk-
