ens are going to open and shower down something new and choice
on you because you're lonesome and bored. If you can't amuse yourself,
you might as well be useful and have something to show for a tedious
day."

Chicken Little drummed on the window for several minutes without
replying, then swung round with a grimace.

"Hand over the dress--I can run up the seams on the machine all right, I
suppose."

The family waited, excited and expectant, for the report on Ernest's
examinations. They had had a long letter telling of his journey and safe
arrival. Katy and Gertie and Mrs. Halford had each written long letters
full of Centerville news and references to their pleasant summer. Mrs.
Halford could not say enough concerning the girls' improved appearance.
Katy wrote the most interesting item. "What do you think? Carol Brown
left for Annapolis, too. Do you suppose Ernest will know him? P. S. We
showed him your picture and he stared at it awful hard and said--you've
got to get me a trade last for this--'Say, Chicken Little's going to be
a hummer if she keeps on!' Don't you think I'm nice to tell you?"

Jane gave the letter to Sherm to read, forgetting this part. Sherm
snorted when he came to it, glancing up curiously at her.

"Do you like that sort of stuff, Chicken Little?" he asked later.

* * * * *

It was almost two weeks after Ernest went, before Dr. Morton, on his
return from town one September evening, came up the walk excitedly
waving a telegram.

"Oh!" exclaimed Chicken Little.

"He must have passed or Father wouldn't look so pleased," said Mrs.
Morton.

The doctor came in slightly breathless.

"Well, Mother, I'm afraid you have lost your boy."

Mrs. Morton looked startled for a moment, then, reassured by her
husband's smile, fumbled nervously for her glasses to read the yellow
paper he handed her.

She was maddeningly deliberate. Jane, perched upon the arm of her chair,
tried to anticipate her, but her mother held it so she could not see.

"It's Mother's place to see it first, daughter."

Reproving Chicken Little steadied Mrs. Morton's nerves, and she read the
few words aloud with dignity.

"Sworn in to-day--hurrah!" Ernest.

"That means that he----?" She looked inquiringly at her husband.

"That means he has passed both physical and mental examinations and has
been regularly sworn in to Uncle Sam's service."

"But I thought he was just going to the Na