don't talk so to Speckle. Ask a reasonable question and answer reasonably," said Mike.

"Very well, Mr. Mike," said Stuffie, who, truth to tell, was afraid of Red Nose.

The end of it was that Stuffie, being so mad, got the worst of it. She went to her nest to mope the rest of the day.

Lady Gray heard how nicely Speckle behaved. She sent and asked her to dine at the Castle. You may be sure Speck went.

CHAPTER EIGHTH.

A LITTLE FUN.

"High! high! for the first cold day. It makes me feel good," said Long Nose Bill on the tenth of December.

"What shall we do to-day?" asked Fluffie.

"Suppose we get the sleds and go to the hill!"

"What for?"

"To slide, of course, Fluff."

"Are we all going?"

"That is just what I want to find out."

Long Nose Bill got up and made this speech:

"Ladies and Gentlemen of Fowl Farm: Please, your attention for a second.

"We ought not to let such a fine snowstorm go by without going over to the hill. The sleds are all in order, and I move we lose no time in going over to the hill. We could spend an hour or so very pleasantly in sliding. All who are of my opinion will oblige me by saying 'I.'"

With this fine speech, as Fluffie called it, Bill sat down.

All the people said "I," so at once they started. What a good time they had! Once Speckle disappeared, but soon Red Nose Mike saw her head sticking up out of a snowbank.

After awhile they went home. The close of a short December afternoon was upon them before they reached the house.

"Mr. Mike," said Brownie, as they walked home together, "let's tell some stories to-night!"

"Very well; I am willing if the others are."

The others were not only willing but glad, so after supper they began.

CHAPTER NINTH.

CHAT AND NEWS.

All and every one of Fowl Farm on a cold Winter afternoon were seated in the sitting room at the second hen house. Lady Gray and Lady Featherly had come in to spend a sociable afternoon, as they said. Lady Featherly had her embroidery, Lady Gray her knitting. The others were sewing.

"Mrs. Penny, may I ask what article of dress you are making?" asked Lady Featherly.

"Only hemstitching an apron, lady."

"May I see it?"

"Certainly."

Henny unfolded, as she spoke, a beautiful apron. It was embroidered in forget-me-nots, which were sprinkled over it. Fluffie laughed and told Speckle afterwards that Lady Featherly nearly had a fit when she saw it. For she said:—

"O, Mrs. Penny, how beautiful. Thought you did not embroider." Then turning to Lady Gray, "Look here, Cousin Gray, see how lovely this is."

A GROUP IN THE YARD.

Soon every one was admiring Henny's work.

"May I ask who you are making it for, Mrs. Penny?"

"For sale."

"How much do you ask?"

"Five dollars!"

"I will buy it then. I will pay you now."

Looking in her purse she drew forth an eight dollar bill, handed it to Henny, and said:—

"Mrs. Penny, here is a bill for your apron. When you finish it please send it to my home at Chicken Place. I hope it is right. Is it?"

"Why, my dear lady, it is too right. I only asked five dollars for the apron. You have given me eight."

"Five dollars is not enough for such exquisite work. So please accept