The startled lady saw that he was not near enough to be dangerous. So she asked him, with a proud air, what his question might be.
"I'm interested in birds' eggs," Benny explained. "Have you any, madam?"
The prairie chicken took a few steps towards him, in a very grand manner.
"Yes, indeed!" she answered. "I have a baker's dozen! They are the most beautiful eggs I've ever seen—though perhaps I shouldn't say so.... They're speckled with brownish specks," she continued.
"How interesting!" Benny Badger exclaimed. "I must have a look at those eggs. Where is your nest, madam?"
And just then the prairie chicken did a strange thing. Without a word of warning she sprang into the air and sailed away, leaving Benny Badger to gaze after her, and wonder why she hadn't answered his question.
He soon made up his mind that he would find her nest, anyhow.
Now, since there wasn't a tree anywhere in the neighborhood, Benny felt quite sure that the lady's nest must be on the ground. And since he knew that all prairie chickens slept at night, he waited until dark before he began his search, for he wanted to find Mrs. Prairie Chicken at home when he called on her.
So when night came once more, Benny Badger left his den and went forth on his errand.
He had gone only a short distance when he met his old friend Mr. Fox, who had told him a little—and very little, too—about eggs. "Are you having any luck to-night?" Benny Badger inquired.