2. You will never guess why, and so, as I think you may like to hear all about her, I will begin at once and tell you. Betty,—that was the name of this hen,—was one of ten fluffy1 little yellow chicks.
3. She was dressed in soft bright down when she first crept out of her egg-shell. She had a sharp beak2 and bright clever black eyes.
4. One morning, as her mother was strutting3 about the yard with all her children behind her, crying "cluck, cluck!" as she scratched up bits for them among the straw, Gip, the little pet dog, ran up.[Pg 107]
5. He was only a puppy, and he meant nothing but play. Perhaps he mistook the small round chicks for a lot of little balls rolling about. At any rate he snatched up Betty, who was the finest of them, in his mouth.
6. With a roguish look at their fat old mother, he began to scamper4 off with her. "Cackle, cackle!" screamed the old hen. "Put the baby down this moment, sir!" And the mother flew at Gip before he had gone six yards.[Pg 108]
7. She jumped upon his back, and began to flap his head with her wings as hard as she could, while she made digs at his back with her beak.
8. The pretty dog, finding himself treated in this way, soon dropped the chicken out of his mouth. Little Betty rolled out from between his white teeth and fell flop5! to the ground.
9. She was not a bit hurt, for she toddled6
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