An Awkward Predicament

For the next fortnight we were all very busy picking and packing fruit,
and Ike was off every night about eleven or twelve with his load, coming
back after market in the morning, and only doing a little work in the
garden of an afternoon, and seeing to the packing ready for a fresh
start in the night.

The weather was glorious, and the pears came on so fast that Shock and I
were always picking so that they might not be too ripe.

It was a delightful time, for the novelty having gone off I was able to
do my work with ease. I did not try to move the ladder any more, so I
had no accident of that kind; and though I slipped once or twice, I was
able to save myself, and began to feel quite at home up in the trees.

Every now and then if Shock was anywhere near he played some monkey
trick or another. His idea evidently was to frighten me by seeming to
fall or by hanging by hand or leg. But he never succeeded now, for I
knew him too well; and though I admired his daring at times, when he
threw himself backwards on the ladder and slid down head foremost
clinging with his legs, I did not run to his help.

In spite of the conversation I had had with him in the shed, we were no
better friends next time we met, or rather when we nearly met, for
whenever he saw me coming he turned his back and went off in another
direction.