For once there was more noise than even Jasper Jay liked. It appeared that there was a bold young rooster in the chicken[p. 48] house. And he objected to Jasper Jay's presence.
"What do you mean by coming in here where you're not wanted?" he screamed. "Where are your manners?"
Actually, Jasper Jay wondered what the rooster was talking about. Never having had any manners, Jasper didn't know the meaning of the word. And since he could not answer, he said nothing.
"Stick your spurs into him and maybe he'll speak!" screeched a pert young hen.
Jasper looked at the rooster then; and he saw that the brazen fellow wore long, sharp spurs upon his legs. They looked almost as wicked as Mr. Hawk's cruel talons.
"Please," said Jasper, "I've come in to get out of the way of Mr. Hawk."
"Ha!" cried the rooster. "Unless I'm mistaken you're the rogue that's always[p. 49] frightening the ladies by screaming like Mr. Hawk. So I don't see why you should object to his society."
"I was only fooling," Jasper Jay whined. "I meant no harm, you know. Let me stay here a while and I promise you I won't bother the hens again."
"I accept your apology, as well as your promise," the rooster replied with great dignity. And then he began crowing in a manner that was most annoying to Jasper Jay. It was the same as saying, "This rascal's afraid of me!"
That was true, too. And that was what made the crowing sound so unpleasant in Jasper's ears.