that everybody recognized them as such instantly.

Will Caslette, always called Billy or Giant, was the son of a
French widow lady who had come to Fairview on the death of her
husband, seven years before. The widow had just enough to live
on comfortably, and she took a great pride in her offspring, even
though he was so small in stature. But though Billy was small
he was "all there," as the other boys said, and promised to become
a man, every inch of him.

Arriving at the orchard, the four boys walked to one of the best
of the apple trees and with a stick brought down a dozen of the
finest apples. Then they selected a warm spot in the sunshine,
threw themselves on the sward, and began to eat and discuss their
plans at the same time.

"It's a regular windfall for us that the old schoolhouse is going
to be shut up next Wednesday," said Snap. "Just think of two
months of loafing."

"Bless the storm that ripped off part of the roof," came from Shep.

"And bless the fact that they can't get it mended right away,"
was Will's comment. "I don't believe they'll open again until
after the holidays."

"Of course they won't," said Whopper. "They can't do it. They've
got to put on a new roof, mend the water pipes, reset the steps,
paint the place, and do sixteen hundred and one things."