y's death, some half
dozen travelling hens and roosters found it, and after coming to the
conclusion that it was as much theirs as any one's, they took possession
of it and have kept it ever since.

Here are the names of the hens:--

Lady Gray, Henny Penny, Fluffie, Speckle, Mrs. Bluehen, Topknot,
Brownie, Eatwell, Stuffie, Cockletop, Swellhead, Tiptoe, Highhead,
Julia, Charcoal, Glover, Bluie, Longlegs, and Bigfoot.

Here are the names of the roosters:--

Red Nose Mike, Lazybones, Long Nose Bill.

CHAPTER FOURTH.

THE PARTY.

"Mr. Long Nose, have you been for the mail?" asked Cockletop, as Long
Nose was returning from a walk.

"Yes," answered Bill, "I called. Only a letter for Lady Gray, though.
Here, Lazybones, take this to the lady."

Lazybones never objected to taking mail to Lady Gray, because she always
gave him something.

That night Lady Gray's maid came to the second henhouse and handed a
folded paper to Red Nose Mike. He opened it and read:--

"_Mr. Mike_:

"DEAR SIR:--I wish all of you to come to Hen Castle at eight
o'clock to-night.

"LADY GRAY."

Red Nose called all the people together and read aloud the note. They
all, except Henny Penny, said they would go. Then Mike seated himself
at the table and wrote:--

"_Lady Gray_:

"DEAR MADAM:--We will all be very glad to come to the Castle
to-night at the appointed hour. Mrs. H. Penny says you really
must excuse her though, as she is setting.

"Respectfully,

"R. N. MIKE."

[Illustration: RED NOSE MIKE.]

This answer met with great approval in the henhouse, and at seven
o'clock every hen was getting out her silk dresses and saying what they
looked best in.

Promptly at eight every one was at the Castle. Lady Gray met them in the
garden and said:--

"I received by to-day's mail a very kind invitation to go to a party
over at Chicken Place. You were all invited. It is to be to-morrow, from
seven in the evening until one in the morning. All who wish to go will
oblige me by saying 'I.'"

Every one said "I." Then the chickens left to get ready for the party.

CHAPTER FIFTH.

HENNY PENNY.

"After the thing was all over and the company leaving, Lady Featherly
gave each of us an orange or an apple," said Speckle to Henny Penny
the day after the party. "Don't you wish you had been there?"

"Yes, my dear, and I could have gone for half an hour, if I had not to
go out bu