“What for? What’s happened?” asked four anxious voices.
“Oh, oh, oh! It isn’t what’s happened,—it’s what I forgot to do!”
“But what? Can’t you confide in us?” urged Natalie.
“I forgot all about those pesky chickens. I never fed them to-night, nor did I give them fresh water. I’ve got to do it before it is too late.”
Everyone laughed, but Mrs. James said: “You’re too late already, Janet. Chickens go to roost before twilight. You will not get them to eat or drink to-night.”
“Dear me! Then they will grow so thin I’ll never be able to enter them in a County Fair!” said Janet whimsically.
“You never hinted that that was your ambition,” laughed Natalie. “You started out to do a thriving business with eggs and broilers.”
“I can do that, too, can’t I? But there is nothing to prevent me from trying for a cash prize in some Poultry Show this fall, either,” explained Janet.
“If I start a business of any kind, you won’t find me neglecting it like that!” bragged Norma.
“Wait until you start one—then talk!” retorted Janet.