ng," argued Chicken Little.

"I know my mother wouldn't have cared way off out here in the country."
Katy added her mite to the whitewashing.

"I don't think it was wrong, but I guess your mother wouldn't be pleased
to hear about it," observed Gertie sagely.

"She isn't going to," said Chicken Little with decision. "I shall tell
Father instead."

Father only laughed. Mrs. Morton did not learn of it until the girls had
gone home to Centerville, when Chicken Little, wishing to convince her
that she could ride Caliph safely, let it out, and received the
long-delayed scolding.

Two days after the riding school, a letter came from Dick and Alice,
saying they would arrive Sunday and must leave for Centerville the
following Saturday. The same mail brought a letter for Sherm from his
mother, and another from Mrs. Dart to Dr. Morton. The doctor did not
mention the contents of his until the boy had finished reading his own.
Then he stepped over to his side and laid his hand gently upon his head.
Sherm was looking pretty sober. "Can you be content to be our boy this
winter, Sherm?"

"Thank you, you're mighty good to want me. I--I guess there's no college
for me this winter. Father's no better. I wish--excuse me." Sherm
finished abruptly and bolted out of the house.

Chicken Little looked after him with some concern. She turned
inquiringly to her father.

"Poor lad," he said in response to her look, "his father is no
better--will be a helpless invalid to the end, I judge, more from what
Mrs. Dart doesn't say than from what she does. I'm afraid their affairs
are in bad shape. Dart's illness must have cost enormously and they have
had no man to look after their business. She writes that Sue is to be
married quietly next month. She says they are sadly disappointed not to
have Sherm home for this event, but feel that he will be better off to
stay with us this winter, and she can hardly afford to have him come so
far just for a short visit. There is something sort of queer about the
letter--something mysterious, as if she were keeping the really
important facts to herself. See what you make of it, Frank."

He handed the letter to Frank, who had just walked in with Jilly perched
on his shoulder.

Chicken Little did not wait for Frank's verdict, she slipped out the
door in search of Sherm. Her first guess was the stables and she made a
hurried survey of stalls and hay mow. He was not there. She tried the
orchard next, then th