the Cat and the Rat.

[Illustration]

Still confident that they would surely help her some day she sang out,
"Who will make the bread?"

[Illustration: ]

Alas for the Little Red Hen! Once more her hopes were dashed! For the
Pig said, "Not I,"

[Illustration: ]

the Cat said, "Not I," and the Rat said, "Not I."

[Illustration: ]

[Illustration: ]

So the Little Red Hen said once more, "I will then," and she did.

Feeling that she might have known all the time that she would have to
do it all herself, she went and put on a fresh apron and spotless
cook's cap. First of all she set the dough, as was proper. When it was
time she brought out the moulding board and the baking tins, moulded
the bread, divided it into loaves, and put them into the oven to bake.
All the while the Cat sat lazily by, giggling and chuckling.

[Illustration: ]

And close at hand the vain Rat powdered his nose and admired himself
in a mirror.

[Illustration]

In the distance could be heard the long-drawn snores of the dozing
Pig.

[Illustration: ]

At last the great moment arrived. A delicious odor was wafted upon the
autumn breeze. Everywhere the barnyard citizens sniffed the air with
delight.

[Illustration: ]

[Illustration: ]

The Red Hen ambled in her picketty-pecketty way toward the source of
all this excitement.

[Illustration: ]

Although she appeared to be perfectly calm, in reality she could only
with difficulty restrain an impulse to dance and sing, for had she not
done all the work on this wonderful bread?

[Illustration: ]

[Illustration: ]

Small wonder that she was the most excited person in the barnyard!

She did not know whether the bread would be fit to eat, but--joy of
joys!--when the lovely brown loaves came out of the oven, they were
done to perfection.

[Illustration: ]

Then, probably because she had acquired the habit, the Red Hen called:
"Who will eat the Bread?"

[Illustration: ]

All the animals in the barnyard were watching hungrily and smacking
their lips in anticipation, and the Pig said, "I will," the Cat said,
"I will," the Rat said, "I will."

But the Little Red Hen said,

[Illustration:]

[Illustration:]

"No, you won't. I will."

And she did.

[Illustration: ]

[Illustration]

* * * * *

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Wee Peter Pug

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Chicago
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