"That won't do at all," he said. "I must have the corn before I give you
the nuts."

So Sandy Chipmunk stepped to the door.

"I'll come back soon," he said. And he ran all the way to Farmer Green's
cornfield, to get an ear of green corn. And then he ran all the way back
to Uncle Sammy's house.

"There!" Sandy said. "There's your ear of corn!" He laid it upon the
table. "Now give me a handful of beechnuts."

"Step right in and help yourself," Uncle Sammy answered.

"No!" said Sandy. "You give me the nuts." He knew that Uncle Sammy's
hands were much bigger than his own and would hold more nuts.

"I should think you might get them," the old scamp grumbled. "I've a lame
knee, you know."

"But I said a 'handful'--not a 'kneeful,'" Sandy answered. "Of course, if
you don't want this juicy ear of corn, there are others that would like
it." He started to pick the ear of corn off the table when Uncle Sammy
rose quickly.

"All right!" he cried. "But it's the old-fashioned way; and I don't like
it." Then he gave Sandy a small handful of beechnuts.

Sandy Chipmunk ate them right on the spot. And he began to feel very
happy. He had noticed that Uncle Sammy tossed the ear of corn into a