This was a poser that no one could answer, so Janet was quiet. But Mrs. James said: “What can we do to rid the chickens of the lice?”
“Well, first of all keep them out in the yard while the house, inside and out, is being white-washed with good slacked lime. Then take each chicken and give it an alcohol bath, being careful not to get it in the eyes, or mouth, or ears.”
After a moment’s pause she added: “If they was my chickens I’d take them all back to Ames and make him exchange ’em. He won’t dare let this fake deal get out at Four Corners.”
Natalie and Janet had not said a word about the hens until Mrs. Tompkins spoke about the “fake deal” but Janet knew it was her duty to explain.
“Natalie and I picked out the rooster because he has such lovely feathers, and we thought the big hens would lay the biggest eggs, so we selected them for the same price.”
“Mr. Ames begged us to take Rhode Island Reds and another rooster, but we wouldn’t,” added Natalie.
“He said the hens were old and wouldn’t give satisfaction, but we thought he said that so we wouldn’t rob him of his finest big hens,” explained Janet
As the truth about the bargain began to be understood, Mrs. Tompkins and Mrs. James laughed heartily. But Janet whispered to Natalie: “I wonder if he will exchange them now?”
“We’ll tell him right out that we need hens that will lay,” said Natalie.
By this time they had reached the stoop of the house, and Janet glanced down at the three brown eggs in her hands and then looked up at Rachel who stood perplexed at the few words she had just overheard.