“I think it’s horrid of it to rain just as we got everything fixed,” added Katy.
“I wish we could stay out in it,” said Chicken Little, staring out the window at the rain falling ker-splash on the brick walk outside.
“Wouldn’t it be fun!” Katy exclaimed enthusiastically. “See what big drops—I most believe I could catch some in my hands. Oh, I wonder if Mother would let us go out—I’m going to ask her.”
Mrs. Halford meditated a moment over the request, then putting by her sewing went to the window to take a look at the clouds.
It was growing darker with an occasional flash of lightning and an accompanying growl of thunder off in the distance. Mrs. Halford turned to the children with a twinkle of resolution in her eyes and astonished them by saying:
“Yes, you may. Off with your shoes and stockings and put on your gossamers. You may stay out in the rain just as long as you like. You too, Chicken Little, I’ll be responsible to your mother. You can take my gossamer.”
“Oh, Mother,” Katy and Gertie both flung themselves at their little mother for an ecstatic hug.
“Yes,” she continued, as soon as they released her. “You may take those old umbrellas in the woodhouse and go back under the gooseberry bushes if you wish—I want you to be thoroughly satisfied, so you won’t always be teasing to go out in the wet.”
“You don’t need to think we’ll get tired of it, Mother,” Katy assured her.
“My, I could stay out all day—I love it so,” Chicken Little protested.