vele\-er] chickens AND STEPMOTHERS 323 



to remove the cause of the motimful distressed "y^^P- yeep," 

 which had disturbed us. But in doing so, we assumed responsi- 

 bihties greater than we realized. For two days the rain continued 

 to fall. To put the chicken out of doors was not to be thought of, 

 for it was bright, lively, and altogether a hopeful specimen of a 

 valuable breed. So we fed it and gave it drink for the good of 

 its body, and cuddled it at odd and sundry .times for the good of 

 its feelings (incidentally, too, for the peace of mind of a sick person 

 who was annoyed if he heard it make a soimd). Truth compels 

 me to add that the cuddling was the pleasantest part of the pro- 

 gram, for it evoked such a grateful response of contented, happy 

 chirps and peeps that we spent more time in the woodshed than 

 conditions really seemed to demand. At least, that is what 

 mother hinted. 



When the weather cleared, we put the chicken into a wire 

 enclosure in the yard, but no efforts of ours could keep it there. 

 It always found a way to get out, determined to be near us. So 

 Harriet and I, like any other indulgent stepmothers, let it have its 

 own way rather than hear it cry. 



A name for our pet was the next consideration. "It" was far 

 too impersonal for so interesting and intelligent a pet. "He" was 

 scarcely more satisfactory, though a characteristic rooster's alarm 

 soon gave us a clue to his sex. Mother proposed a name. 

 "Kaiser," she called him, but to tell why would make a stor\- in 

 itself. Anyway, that's piu"ely a family affair. 



"Kaiser" soon learned his name, responding to it promptly. If 

 happy and contented, he answered with a cheerful twitter; if in 

 an unhappy mood, he changed his tone immediately when we called 

 him, and came running to us. In fact, his loyalty and affection 

 were very pretty to see. No one of the household could stir with- 

 out having him at our heels, now running, now hopping, now half 

 flvdng, any way and every way to keep up. When one of us sat 

 on the porch he was waiting for the opporttmity of getting into 

 her lap. This act he accomplished by dint of much exertion, 

 climbing or scrambling or flying, as the occasion demanded. Once 

 there, he wovild settle down, the picture of contentment, — eyes 

 half closed, singing his sleepy song whatever the time of day. 

 Even Mother, who does not care for feathery things fell a victim 

 to his habit of taking his welcome for granted, for it soon became her 

 custom to let him sit comfortably in her lap while she read or sewed. 



