Rachel stood wondering over the information she had just heard, then she said to Janet: “Ain’t dem hens done laid no eggs yet?”
“No they haven’t, Rachel. And my bookkeeping is all on the debit side. If it keeps on without any credits to jot down, I’ll never have a cent for candy, or anything!” complained Janet.
“Miss James must be right. Dem hens get too much freedom. Now we’ll lock ’em up in a coop and see what we shall see!”
So the four amateurs drove the fowl by devious ways, back to the chicken-yard, and Rachel closed their exit to the run by sliding a board in front of the opening.
“Let ’em sit down and think about it, honey, an’ mebbe they’ll lay some eggs.”
On the way back to the house Janet said: “How much are fresh eggs, Jimmy?”
“I really do not remember, but I’ll look at Tompkins’ bill when we reach the house,” replied Mrs. James.
“Eggs fresh from the nest are worth more than store-eggs, aren’t they?” continued Janet.
“Oh, yes, if they are guaranteed strictly fresh eggs.”
“Well, I won’t charge a cent more than the store does, because I’m using the barn and other things, you know,” said Janet.