“Perhaps he will, if you don’t talk him to death, Chicken Little. You haven’t given him a chance to get in a word edgeways.” Ernest reproved his sister sharply after the manner of brothers slightly older.
“What about you?” retorted Chicken Little. “Sherm, we’ll all keep quiet and let you have a chance.”
“I’d like to, if college is ruled out, and Mother and Father will let me. They may want me at home, especially if Father grows worse.” Sherm gave a little gulp. He was very fond of his father.
“I’ll write to him to-day, Sherm, and you might write, too, for I’m going in to town about noon. Any commissions, Mother? Why don’t you drop things and come along? A change will do you good–you haven’t been off the place for two weeks or more.”
“I don’t know but I will. Chicken Little, you girls might get up a little picnic lunch for yourselves and the boys, and have it out in the orchard. Annie has a big ironing to-day and it would help her out not to have a dinner to get. Then we’ll have a hearty supper this evening.”
“Yes, and Chicken Little, did you girls feed the 199porkers last evening? I heard them squealing and grunting in the night.”
“Golly!” said Chicken Little, sitting up with a start and looking at Katy. Katy looked guilty, and Gertie concerned.
Dr. Morton did not need any further answer. “Well, you’d better run right out. Remember dumb beasts must never be neglected, daughter.”
“And Jane, I don’t want to hear you say Golly again. By-words of any kind are objectionable for young girls, and that is particularly rough and coarse,” Mrs. Morton added severely.
“You never say it is coarse when Ernest says it–and he uses it an awful lot.”