"Why!" exclaimed Billy in surprise. "I——"
"Is he very strong?" interrupted the Blue Hen's Chicken.
"Strong," said White Wings, "Strong, I should say he was; much stronger than our oldest inhabitant."
"What are you going to do with me?" asked Billy, too disgusted to deny the story.
"Wait and see," chuckled the Chicken, "wait—wait—wait—wait—and see—bad luck—bad luck—bad luck."
"Serve him right for being a greedy boy," said Turkey Egg, angrily. "I know him, he's a bad lot—always eating, just gobble, gobble, gobble, all day long."
"That's not true," said Billy, "you know you don't know me."
"Never saw you in my life before," whispered Turkey Egg, "but don't mention that, if I want to get my witness fee I've got to say something, haven't I?"
"But you may be swearing my life away," said Billy.