t he became greatly
excited as soon as he heard Rusty's story.

"It's just like being caught in a trap!" he exclaimed. "And I can't
help feeling that you've played a trick on my son--probably to
please Johnnie Green.... If you don't set my boy free to-morrow
morning at daybreak, I shall certainly make trouble for you."

Mr. Chippy's warning amazed Rusty Wren. But he couldn't help
laughing at the idea of anybody causing him any _trouble_.

"I'm so deep in trouble now," he told Mr. Chippy, "there's nothing
you can do to make matters any worse for me. I've six growing
children to bring up; and now I have your son to take care of; and
my wife thinks everything is my fault, because I wanted to hire a
boy to help me catch insects.

"So you can't scare me by your threats. I only wish you would come
to my house and take your son away with you--if you can."

"I'll come--and I'll tear your house down!" Mr. Chippy cried
fiercely. And he began screaming, "_Chip, chip, chip, chip_," in a
very shrill voice which was most annoying to hear.

Rusty Wren did not like to listen to him. So he flew back home and
went to bed. He only wished that it were possible for Mr. Chippy
to break into his house and rescue Chippy, Jr. But since the house
was made of tin, Rusty knew that Mr. Chippy was helpless.

"I'll never settle in a tin house again so long as I live!" he
groaned.

XIX

A FRIEND, INDEED

The next morning Rusty Wren awakened with a start. Somebody was
pounding at his door--and shouting his name, as well. He jumped out
of bed to see what was the matter. And, looking outside, he beheld
Mr. Chippy, with sixteen of his cousins, all very much excited--if
one might judge by their actions.

They were flying back and forth past Rusty's doorway and _chipping_
in shrill and piercing tones.

"I've come for my son," Mr. Chippy informed Rusty Wren. "Send him
out here at once or it will be the worse for you."

"I'd be glad to get rid of him if I could," Rusty answered. "But,
as I explained to you last night, he has grown so big that he can
no longer pass through my doorway."

"I don't care to argue with you?" Mr. Chippy replied. "Just let me
have Chippy, Jr., or we'll come inside your house and get him.
We'll make trouble for you, too. Perhaps you didn't know that
kidnapping a child is a very serious act. I've already asked
Solomon Owl's opinion about this matter; and he advises me to take
my child away from you by force,