“That would be great,” said Alice.
Miss Betsy Porter was greatly interested in the children’s plan. “Only, are you sure your mother will be willing to let you keep hens?” she asked prudently.
“Yes, we have a house for them, and she said we could get anything we liked. She had thought about keeping hens, only they are so expensive.”
“I will sell you a Rhode Island Red,” said Miss Betsy. “They lay well, and I will throw in a fine young cock. My neighbors are complaining because the young spring roosters are beginning to crow, and I was expecting to have to send them to the market. I’ll let Michael Farrell take them up to your house this afternoon, if your mother will let you have them. You can stop at his house and send me word by him whether or not your mother wants them.”
Peggy and Alice went out into the yard with Miss Betsy to choose a hen and a rooster.
“It is like a family,” said Peggy, “having two of them. They won’t be lonely. I shall call them Henry Cox and Henrietta Cox.”
“Well, children, what did you buy with your two dollars?” Mrs. Owen asked when they came home that morning.
“I got a carriage for Belle,” said Alice.
“And what did you get, Peggy?”
She hesitated—“Something very useful,” she said. “Guess, mother. It’s something that will grow and something that is alive.”