Chicken Little Jane Part 23

The child pondered the matter for the rest of the morning.

At dinner, she interrupted her father in the midst of a story to ask:

"Can people take dogs or birds on a train?"

"Yes, Chicken, what did you want to know for? The dogs are usually put in the baggage car."

"If it was just a puppy would it have to go in the baggage car?"

"Why if it was very tiny it might be carried in a covered box or basket."

Jane subsided for several minutes then interrupted again.

"Could you put a kitty in a basket?"

"I guess so, but don't interrupt me so much, child." Dr. Morton replied carelessly.

"Yes, Jane, that is a very bad habit you are forming. It is not polite to break into a conversation that way--especially when older people are talking," Mrs. Morton added impressively.

After dinner Chicken Little began to rummage. First she found a collar box with a cover. She took this to her mother and asked if she might have it. Her mother readily gave it to her, but apparently the child was not satisfied. She looked it over dubiously. "I don't believe it could breathe," she said to herself.

The collar box was discarded and she began another search. She finally resurrected a small covered sewing basket considerably the worse for wear, which her mother was also willing to part with.

Her next move was to line the basket with cotton batting after which she hunted out a doll blanket from her playthings.

"I guess that'll be enough," she remarked aloud.

These preparations completed, she tucked the basket under her arm and slipping out the side gates, went over to Grace Dart's. She had not taken the trouble to ask permission.

About ten minutes later she returned carrying the basket most carefully.

Very little was seen of her till train time. When she started down to the station with her mother and Alice she still had the basket with her.

Mrs. Morton did not notice it until Chicken Little put it down beside her on the seat of the omnibus.

"What are you bringing that old basket for?" she asked.

"Oh, just 'cause."

"Well, of all the queer children!" Mrs. Morton sighed. Chicken Little's whims were very puzzling at times.

Alice suspected that the basket contained some parting gift for herself.

Ernest had hung around her at the last and had finally thrust a big bag of candy into her hand--an offering that deeply touched her since she knew he must have spent his last penny to buy it.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Give her this on the train and--please ... carefully.]

They found d.i.c.k Harding at the station. Chicken Little heaved a sigh of relief when she caught sight of him. She had an idea.

When the train rolled in and he picked up Alice's valise to carry it into the car for her, Chicken Little pulled at his arm. As he leaned down, she whispered hastily; "Give her this on the train and--please, carry it carefully."

d.i.c.k Harding took the basket. Mrs. Morton was bidding Alice good-by and did not notice the transfer.

Mr. Harding seated Alice and delivered the sewing basket.

"Here is something very special Miss Jane Morton wished me to give you.

I have an idea its contents may surprise you, judging from certain sounds I heard."

Alice took it on her lap and lifted the cover.

A sheet of bright pink note paper lay on top. It read, "With love for Alice so you won't be lonesome."

Beneath the note paper a tiny gray head peeped out from under a doll blanket and a plaintive "miauw" greeted her.

"Well, I never!" laughed Alice. "What can I do with it?"

"Keep the basket and I'll put kitty in my pocket and dispose of her some way."

"No, indeed, I'll manage somehow--bless the child. This must be the kitty Grace Dart promised her. If they'll only let me keep it at Uncle Joseph's I believe it will be a real comfort."

d.i.c.k Harding lifted Jane up for a parting wave to Alice through the car window as the train pulled out. Alice held up a pert maltese kitten and made it wave its paw in return.

"Why--where did she get that kitten?" gasped Mrs. Morton, a sudden suspicion entering her mind. "Chicken Little Jane was that what you had in that basket?"

Chicken Little looked abashed, but d.i.c.k Harding came to the rescue.

"Mrs. Morton, may Jane walk up with me--I'll take good care of her?"

After a moment's hesitation Mrs. Morton consented. d.i.c.k handed her into the omnibus and Chicken Little trotted joyfully along beside him. d.i.c.k Harding seemed to enjoy having the warm little hand tucked confidingly into his own.

It was an ideal winter day, clear and crisp and gorgeously white.

They walked along in silence for a few minutes before Jane burst out with the idea that was occupying her small brain.

"Why does it make people nicer to go to school a lot? I don't think Alice could be any nicer, do you, Mr. Harding? Our teacher's gone to school, oh, most always, I guess, and I don't think she's near as nice as Alice."

d.i.c.k Harding laughed heartily.

"Miss Alice is A1, isn't she? And we don't like to have her go away so far--do we? Education doesn't always make people nicer, but it often helps, Chicken Little. You like your father's ways rather better than old Jake's don't you? Well, your father has education and Jake hasn't.

That's not all the difference but it is part. Besides, even if it didn't make us nicer to know things, it is rather good fun to learn them, don't you think?"

He patted the hand in his and smiled down at her. Chicken Little partly understanding yet puzzled, smiled back.

They walked on a half block farther before Jane found anything more to say.

"I guess Alice won't be lonesome now she's got the kitty. Don't you think it was a pretty kitty? I wanted it awfully bad myself but I've got Ernest and Katy and Gertie to play with and Alice won't have anybody you know."

d.i.c.k Harding stifled a laugh as he recalled Alice's surprised face.

"I think that was an uncommonly pretty kitty and you were very generous to give it away when you wanted it yourself. It is mighty hard to part with things we want ourselves, don't you think so, little partner?"