“Oh, I know that old riddle,” Russ said. “You mean why is a tree like a dog? Because it has a bark.”
“No, it isn’t that one,” Laddie said eagerly. “This is a new riddle. Now I have it! What’s the difference between a tree and a bird? Can you answer that?”
“Let me see now,” murmured Russ, who wanted to please his little brother. “The difference between a bird and a tree. Well, one flies and the other doesn’t.”
“Nope!” cried Laddie. “I’ll tell you. A tree leaves in the spring and a bird leaves in the fall. See what I mean? A tree leaves in the spring—the leaves come out. But a bird leaves in the fall. The bird leaves the North and flies down South where it’s warm.”
“I don’t think that’s a very good riddle,” said Russ.
“Well, maybe I can think of a better one after a while,” Laddie remarked cheerfully. He certainly was good-natured.
Now that the time of going to the farm had arrived, Violet was eager to find out all about the animals. She fairly pestered Adam with wanting to know things. She asked:
“How many chickens are there? How many cows? Did you ever count the bees?”
“Count the bees? Good land, no!” laughed Adam. “There’s millions of ’em and they never keep still long enough to be counted. Besides, if I tried they might sting me.”
“Well,” said Vi, “are there any——”