mother.

"Where did you put the bread, Mother?"

"In the bread box, of course, child, where did you suppose?"

"There isn't anything but old bread in the box."

"Well, ask Annie."

"She's gone to Benton's."

"Well, I think you're old enough to find four loaves of bread in a small
pantry." Mrs. Morton got up, disgusted.

Sherm stood waiting with the tin pail of berries and the bunch of
flowers in his hands. Ernest was holding the team out at the road.

When Mrs. Morton disappeared Sherm remarked placidly: "Well, I guess I
might as well take these things out. I'll come back for the bread."

Mrs. Morton could be heard exclaiming about something in the kitchen.
Sherm smiled a fleeting smile and departed.

Sounds of hurried footfalls, of boxes and pans being moved, came from
the kitchen. Somebody ran hastily down cellar. "It isn't here, Mother."
Jane's tone was emphatic.

"What do you suppose is the matter?" exclaimed Katy. She departed to
see, followed by Gertie. The sound of fresh disturbances floated in from
the cuisine. Dr. Morton grew curious and went out to investigate. Sherm
came back as far as the front door and stood waiting.

Presently, Mrs. Morton entered, flushed and annoyed.

"It's the queerest thing I ever heard of--that entire baking of bread
has vanished. Annie is perfectly honest and she knew we were expecting
to send a loaf to the Captain. You haven't seen any tramps about, have
you, Sherm? You don't suppose the dogs could----" Mrs. Morton glanced
suspiciously at Buz asleep on the path outside.

"Nonsense, Mother, the dogs couldn't get away with whole loaves of bread
and leave no trace. They are not overly fond of bread, anyhow."

"Possibly Annie may have put it in some unheard-of place--girls are so
exasperating. I'll go look again."

A third search was no more successful than the previous ones had been.
They were obliged to send the boys on without the bread.

Both Chicken Little and Gertie mourned, for they had combined forces in
this baking and were immensely proud of their effort.

"We never can get it so nice again--I just know!"

Mrs. Morton had been studying. "You don't suppose the boys could have
meddled with it, do you?"

Katy looked up with a gleam in her eye. "They were laughing about
something fit to kill just before supper and they wouldn't tell what it
was."

"But why--I don't see." Mrs. Morton was puzzled.

"To tease the girls, possibly. But I don't see how they c