enough of the false
to keep the guests on the alert and make fun.

While they were sitting there resting, Frank and Dr. Morton came in from
a trip to town. Frank tossed a package into Marian's lap with a laugh.

"These ought to do the work for somebody. I'd like to fool old Jake
Schmidt. It would be worth ten dollars to see his face--he is such a
screw about driving a bargain."

Marian untied the string and opened the parcel, revealing a handful of
the most luscious-looking little cucumber pickles that ever lured the
unwary.

"They certainly look all right," said Marian, "what's the matter with
them--salt?"

"Feel them."

Marian picked one up gingerly as if she were afraid it might prick her
or explode in her hand. Then she threw back her head and laughed
merrily.

"Frank, they are just perfect. I never should have guessed it. You can
fetch Jake all right with one of these. Let me know when you do, I'd
like to be round to see the fun."

"Aren't you afraid you will hurt somebody's feelings with all these
pranks? They don't seem quite dignified some way for grown up people."

"That's just why we want to have them, Mother. The Creek thinks the
Morton family is entirely too grown up and stiff. They'll be
good-natured, never fear."

That evening Chicken Little and Sherm put their heads together.

"We just must find some way to fool Frank--I sha'n't be happy if we
don't." Chicken Little bit her lips and studied. "Can't you think of
something, Sherm?"

"Not right off the bat, but if we keep our eyes open, we'll find a way.
It would be jolly if we could do it before the crowd. They would so love
to see Frank have to take his own medicine. Say, this party is going to
be a Jim dandy!"

It had been decided to have the gathering at the cottage, as the big
sitting room and the bedroom adjoining would hold more people than Mrs.
Morton's parlor, sitting room, and dining-room all three. Further, the
parlor, being separated from the other rooms by a short hallway, was of
use only for some little group who wished to be by themselves. Sherm and
Chicken Little were busy all day trimming up the pictures and the
windows with evergreen and bitter sweet berries, mixed with trailers
from the Japanese honeysuckle, which still showed green underneath where
it had escaped the hardest freezes. Marian flitted in occasionally with
suggestions, but the two did most of the work alone. Chicken Little
began by giving Sherm precise direc