ne Morton. I've just been doing it to help you
out. And I don't think it's a suitable occupation for girls--or
company!" Gertie climbed down from her perch on the log pen and departed
with dignity.

"Humph, I guess I never asked you to help me. Besides, you expected to
get as much money as I did. You can just go off and sulk if you want
to."

"Well, I don't think that is a nice way to talk to your guests." Katy
climbed down and departed to soothe her sister.

Chicken Little whacked her heels against the logs and made a face at the
nearest pig to relieve her feelings. She loathed the creatures. She
wished she could wipe them off the face of the earth. Katy was half way
to the house when she had an inspiration. "Katy!" she called eagerly,
"Katy, I've got an idea."

Katy continued her way without glancing 'round.

"It's something you'll like."

Katy wavered and unbent enough to ask: "What is it?"

"Come here and I'll tell you. I'm not going to yell it."

Katy considered and finally returned reluctantly.

When she came back to the pen, Chicken Little glanced round to make sure
that no one was about, to overhear, then, to make sure, whispered
excitedly into Katy's ear.

Katy's face lighted. "All right, let's. Gertie won't care."

They had entirely made up this slight unpleasantness by afternoon.
Perched on rocks under the shade of the cherry trees they waited
impatiently for Dick and Alice. Jilly had been coached in her little
speech so often that there was no doubt at all that she would get it
wrong. She had been told to say, "Welcome, Uncle Dick, welcome Auntie
Alice." She had said it faultlessly three times already when approaching
wheels started them to their feet expectantly. They were disappointed by
seeing a neighbor drive round the bend in the lane. When the familiar
bays did come into view with their swinging trot, Jilly was so enchanted
she started off pell mell to meet them, spilling her blossoms out
generously as she ran. The girls overtook her before she quite got in
the path of the horses and reminded her of her responsibility.

Dr. Morton pulled up and Dick leaped to the ground, punctuating her
attempted "Weecome" by tossing her into the air and kissing her noisily.

Jilly struggled free. Her coaching had not been in vain.

"Oo muttant--I ain't said it, and oo pillin' ve fowers."

Dick set the mite on her feet with exaggerated courtesy. "Of course--to
be sure. I beg your most humble pardon, M