Budd put both hands under the hen and lifted her gently. "Ak--ok--ork--ach," gasped the hen, as Budd took her firmly around the throat; but she was too sleepy to care much what became of her, and so hung limp and silent.
"I 'll hold the hen, Cherry, and you take up those eggs one at a time and hold them to my ear."
"What for?" said Cherry.
"Now don't be a loony, but do as I tell you," said Budd, impatiently. Cherry did as she was bidden; Budd listened intently.
"By cracky! there 's one!" he exclaimed. "Here, help me set this hen back again, and keep that one out."
"What for?" queried Cherry, forgetting her former lesson.
"Oh, you ninny!--here, listen, will you?" Budd put the egg to her ear.
"Why, that's a chicken peeping inside. I can hear him," said Cherry, in an awed voice.
"Yes, and I 'm going to let him out," said Budd, triumphantly.
"But then you'll have the prize chicken, Budd," said Cherry, rather dubiously, for she had wanted it herself.