“Yes, or rather, Sally did, and sugar enough to last a year. I tapped the trees, and fixed a kettle in the woods, and she made it while I was clearing land long before the house was built. She said if I was going to have corn to begin with, she would have sugar, and you see she’s got it.”
CHAPTER IX.
HOW JOE ENTERTAINED HIS GUESTS.
After supper the boys prepared to take leave.
“Go!” cried Joe; “you ain’t a going to do any such thing. You’re going to stay a week. What did you come for—just to aggravate a fellow? It is like showing a horse an ear of corn out of the garret window.”
“But we want to go and see Flour, and Fred, and lots of folks,” said John.
“Flour’s over to Wiscasset: besides, you mustn’t call him Flour; he’s Peterson, now.”
“But you want to be clearing land, and we shall only hinder you.”
“I tell you you can’t, nor shan’t go; so say no more about it. I want you to help me make a bear-trap to-night, and shoot some pigeons in the morning on the stubble.”
“Then I’m sure I shan’t stir a step,” cried Charlie.
“Nor I, either,” said John.