ranklin was about to speak
again, but at this moment Cynthia, enchanted with the success of the
hatch, and with the pretty sight on the lawn, rushed up to her
step-mother and squeezed her arm.

[Illustration: "YOU ARE A PERFECT DEAR!" SHE WHISPERED. "EVERYTHING IS
NICER SINCE YOU CAME."]

"You are a perfect dear!" she whispered. "Everything is nicer since you
came. Even the chickens came out for you, and last time it was so
dreadful." And Mrs. Franklin smiled again and felt comforted.

The table was decorated with roses and lovely ferns, strewn here and
there with apparent carelessness, but really after much earnest study of
effects. Bowls of great unhulled strawberries added their touch of
color, as did the generous slices of golden sponge-cake. The dainty
china and glass gleamed in the afternoon light, and the artistic
arrangement added not a little to the already good appetites of the boys
and girls.

Fortunately Oakleigh was equal to any emergency in the eating line, and
as rapidly as the piles of three-cornered sandwiches, fairylike rolls,
and other goodies disappeared the dishes were replenished as if by
magic.

After supper the piano was rolled over to the front window in the long
parlor.

"Put it close to the window," said Mrs. Franklin, "and I will sit
outside, like the eldest daughter in _The Peterkins_, to play. That will
give me the air, and you can hear the music better."

They danced on the lawn and played games to the music; then they
gathered on the porch and sang college songs, while the sun sank at the
end of the long summer day, and the stars came twinkling out, and
by-and-by the full moon rose over the tree-tops and flooded them with
her light.

Altogether, Jack's second "hatching bee" was a success. A good time, a
good supper, and, best of all, one hundred and forty chickens. Yes, it
really seemed as if poultry were going to pay, and "Franklin & Gordon,"
of the Oakleigh Poultry Farm, went to bed quite elated with prosperity.

The next morning at breakfast they were discussing the matter, and Mr.
Franklin expressed his unqualified approval of the scheme.

"If you succeed in raising your chickens, now that they are hatched,
Jack, my boy, I think you are all right. You owe Aunt Betsey a debt of
thanks. By-the-way, where is Aunt Betsey? Have you heard from her
lately?"

There was no answer. Jack exploded into a laugh which he quickly
repressed, Edith looked very solemn, while Cynthia had