"Then maybe we better put it on to boil now. How much shall we cook?" "I don't know as I ever saw Gail measure it She just guesses at it; but I think we could each eat a big cupful, don't you?" "I'm hungry enough to eat two cupsful," said Allee. "P'r'aps 'twould be better to cook two for each of us. It's good cold, s'posing we shouldn't eat it all tonight." "Maybe that would be best," conceded Cherry; and the three embryo cooks repaired to the kitchen to get supper ready. "There is the rice and here is a cup. Hold the pan, Cherry, while I measure it out. One--two--three--four--five--six--seven--eight--nine--that makes a big hole in that bagful, doesn't it? Maybe nine will be enough. Do you think so?" "Yes," hesitated Cherry; "and besides, Hope won't be here for supper." "That's right! Then nine will be enough. Now we'll pour in the water,--lots, 'cause it boils away in cooking." "If Gail doesn't get here soon, how will we get any milk for our rice?" asked Allee, watching them. "Bossy hasn't been milked yet." Peace paused on her way to the stove with the heavy saucepan. "Why didn't we think of that before? Rice isn't good without plenty of milk and sugar. I don't like molasses on it." "Nor I," shivered Cherry. "Let's milk the cow ourselves," suggested the daring spirit. "We don't know how," protested the cautious one. "Oh, that's easy! I've watched Gail lots of times, and all she does is pull hard like the janitor pulls the rope that rings the church bell. We've both of us rung that bell, Cherry. I'll do it if you are afraid." "I'm not afraid," Cherry declared, "but I don't think I know how. I'll watch you and see how you do it first." "Come on, then!" Away to the barn they hurried, and the process of milking began, with Peace astride the stool. But somehow Bossy resented being pulled like a bell-rope and the milk didn't come. "I don't see what is the matter," cried Peace impatiently, after a few moments' struggle. "Bossy never acts so with Gail. She has kicked me twice already, and here we are clear out of her stall. Allee, you hold her tail, she has slapped me in the face with it till I'm tired. Whoa, Boss, stand still! Maybe I don't jerk hard enough." Peace settled herself once more on the stool, righted the pail and gave a tremendous pull at two of the teats. There was a surprised moo from Bossy, her heels flew into the air, Peace was thrown backward from her seat, the pail whirled across the floor, and Bossy rushed out of the barn door, dragging little, tenacious Allee after her. Cherry screamed, Peace scrambled to her feet and raced madly after the terrified beast, shouting at the top of her lungs, "Let go, Allee! Whoa, Bossy!" Allee let go, but Bossy did not whoa until, with a wild plunge, she lurched against the stone watering trough, groaned and lay down with one leg doubled under her. "Oh, she's broken her leg!" yelled Cherry, dancing up and down in fright. "What shall we do, what shall we do?"