scrumping* anyone?

A few weeks ago, standing around in Simon's office, a few of us learned a new word. Like good Oxford students we decided to engage our education, embrace this word as our predecessors did from 1866 onwards, and put it into its God given use, as a verb.

*(According to the Oxford English Dictionary, or OED) trans. To steal (apples), esp. from orchards. Also transf. and absol.

At 23 hundred hours there was a small gathering in the entryway, those gathered conspicuously wearing dark shades of black and blue. I quickly jumped in on the action (you know me :) ) and headed out our blue door into the dark, cold night. Lizzie was our leader, she devised the plan, and saw that it was carried out (she was also the one with the backpack). After a few distractions were made, and Tim checked that there were no cars in the driveway, Lizzie and I were hoisted over the Oxford-style brick wall. We dashed across the dimly lit courtyard to the dark corner where the ominous, ivy wrapped tree stood waiting.

We climbed the tree and began to realize just how wonderful, how big and how delicious these apples were. Quickly we filled Lizzie's backpack and dashed back across the yard and over the wall. Upon returning to Crick we unloaded the bounty, manna from heaven, only to lay eyes on the biggest red apples we had ever seen.

Scene: Lizzie, Ashley, Abbey, Elizabeth and TJ in the Crick kitchen, excited and enjoying afformentioned apples. Dressed in black, talking loudly.

(Enter Rob)
Lizzie: Hey Rob, we just stole these apples, do you want one? (She hands him the apple)
Rob: (Wide eyed, excitement growing) Yes I do! (He grabs the red apple and takes a bite)
Lizzie: Oh my gosh does anyone see what just happened?
Rob: (Horrified look on his face IMMIDIATELY spits the apple out and throws it into the trash)
Abbey: Adam! See! You think you would have learned the first time! BUT NO! Everytime! Ev-ry-time!
Rob: I like how you said, "we stole these apples" and then I willingly took it.
TJ: See! This is proof that we were dupped in the beginning, completely unaware. No wonder Adam blamed it on Eve.

There will be carmel apple scones in the morning. :)