Mrs. James looked straight at her and said: “Rachel, how many eggs has Janet sold you now?”
“About two dozen, Mis James, countin’ dese free.”
“Well, I’m wondering who is standing the expense, you or me, or the house?”
“Why?” asked Janet, amazed at such a strange question.
Rachel gasped when she realized that she might have to pay Janet for the eggs she bought from her and also pay the house for the eggs she stole for the nests. But Sam joined them and said:
“Aunt Rachel tole me to put an egg or two in the nestes every day, but I liked to see Mis Janet smile so I put in more and more. Dat’s how she got so many from the pantry box.”
Such a roar greeted this confession that Rachel went in and slammed the kitchen door, and Janet turned to throw the eggs at Sam, but he had bolted.
“Never mind that, now, Janet, but come with me and let me help you get rid of the chicken-lice,” said motherly Mrs. Tompkins. So Janet was comforted in more ways than one before Mrs. Tompkins went home.
CHAPTER X
JANET ADDS TO HER STOCK FAMILY
That evening at supper Janet was unusually quiet and Natalie remarked it. “Well,” said Janet despondently. “I was wondering if one of the scouts would buy out my business. I’m going back home.”