They concluded to ask Joanna to come out again, and help them get the box up. She came very willingly, and all three of them together easily succeeded in putting the heavy box into its place; and Royal had the satisfaction of perceiving that it fitted very well. Joanna then said that, for aught she could see, their structure would make a very safe and convenient coop.
When their father and mother came to see their work that evening, their father said that it would do very well for a coop, but that it was too late in the year to get hens.
“If I get some hens for you,” said he, “it will be several weeks before they lay eggs enough to hatch; and then the chickens would not have grown enough to get out of the way of the cold of the winter. It is full as late now as any brood of chickens ought to come out.”
Royal and Lucy looked greatly disappointed at this unexpected announcement. It was a difficulty that had not occurred to them at all. Their father was always very much pressed with his business, and could seldom give much time or attention to their plays; but they thought that, if they could make all the arrangements, so that they could take care of the hens without troubling him, there would be no difficulty at all. They did not know but that hens would lay and hatch as well and as safely at one time as at another.
Lucy had some corn in her hand. Her father asked her what that was for. She said it was to put into the coop for the hens. She had asked Joanna for some, and she had given it to her, because she said she wanted some corn all ready.
Here her mother whispered something to her father, which Lucy and Royal did not hear.
“Yes,” said he, in a low tone, in reply, speaking to her mother, “perhaps I can; very likely.”
Royal wondered what they were talking about, but he did not ask.
“Well, Lucy,” said her father, “throw your corn into the coop, and about the door; perhaps you can catch some hens in it. Who knows but that it will do for a trap?”
“O father,” said Royal, “you are only making fun of us.”