"Oh, if you get back by eleven it will be all right. I have to finish the doughnuts and do several other things before I will be ready for the pies." "That's a whole hour--we can get back easy in an hour--can't we, Jilly-Dilly?" Marian in spite of her busy morning watched them till they entered the pasture, the sturdy little baby figure pattering along importantly beside the tall slim girl. "How fast they're both growing," she thought. "Jane's always so sweet with Jilly--I feel safe when she's with her." "O Jane," she called a moment later, "I wouldn't take the pups along if you are going through the pasture. The cattle don't like small dogs." Huz and Buz, after lazily watching the children walk off, had apparently decided to join them, and were bringing up the rear a few yards behind. They were fat, rollicking pups, too young and clumsy to be very firm on their legs as yet. Jane turned round and ordered the rascals home. Marian called them back also, and after deliberating a moment uncertainly, they obeyed. They were encouraged to make a choice by a small stick Chicken Little hurled at them. "Go on," said Marian, "I'll see that they don't follow you." She coaxed the dogs round to the back of the house and saw them greedily lapping a saucer of milk before she went back to her work. Buz settled down contentedly in the sunshine after the repast was over, but Huz, who was more adventurous, hadn't forgotten that his beloved Jane and Jilly were starting off some place without him. He gave the saucer a parting lick around its outer edge to make sure he wasn't missing anything, then watched the kitchen door for some fifty seconds with ears perked up, to see whether any further refreshments or commands might be expected from that quarter. Marian was singing gaily about her work in a remote part of the cottage, and Huz presently trotted off round the corner of the house after the children. They had gone some distance into the pasture, but he tagged along as fast as his wobbling legs would carry him, whining occasionally because he was getting tired and felt lonesome so far behind. Huz had never gone out into the world alone before. Jane and Jilly were enjoying themselves. It was late May and the prairies were billowy with soft waving grasses and gaily tinted with myriads of wild flowers. "Aren't they lovely, Jilly?" Chicken Little filled one tiny moist hand with bright blossoms. "And see, dear, here's a sensitive plant! Look close and see what the baby leaves do when Anjen touches them. See, they all lie down close to the mamma stem--isn't that funny?. Now watch, after a little they'll all open up again. Here's another. Jilly, touch this one." Jilly poked out one fat finger doubtfully, and after some coaxing, gave the pert green leaves a quick dab. They drooped and the child laughed gleefully.