"Yes," cried Peter.
"What is it?"
"It's a katydid," said Betty, "over there."
"Listen, children, what does it say?"
"It says, 'Chic-a-chee, chic-a-chee,' over and over again," answered Jack.
"Pooh," interrupted Jimmie, "it says, 'Katy did, Katy didn't!'"
"It says, 'Katy broke a china plate; yes, she did; no, she didn't,'" called Betty.
"Yes, she did; no, she didn't!" the children shouted, merrily, together.
"Well," said the old man, "anyway, it's all about what Katy did do and what Katy didn't do. Probably Mr. Katy, like other good husbands in the world, is singing of the wonderful things Katy did do and the naughty things she didn't do. That is Mr. Katy's love-song. Ah, he finds Mrs. Katy very charming—her beautiful wings, her gracefully waving antennæ, her knowing, shining eyes! Now, listen again. Katydid carries its musical instrument at the base of its wing cover. On each side is a tiny membrane and a strong vein. When the wing covers are rubbed together the membrane speaks, and you hear—"
"Katy did, Katy didn't!" shouted the children.