A swift retort rose to Katy's lips, but she decided it would be more impressive to remain dignifiedly silent. She stalked on. Gertie hesitated as to which of the belligerents she should follow, but finally decided in favor of the one who needed her worst. She put her pig in the coop and came to help Jane up. The latter was already ashamed of her outburst, but was far from being ready to acknowledge it. The other three pigs had not gone far and they soon had them safely in the coop. They were debating as to whether they should give up hunting for the others, when a hail from the road brought aid and comfort. Katy had met Dr. Morton coming from the field on an errand and had told him what they were trying to do. He was delighted and surprised to see the seven rescued pigs. "Why, Chicken Little, I didn't really suppose you were in earnest or----" Dr. Morton stopped suddenly, he had just taken a good look at his only daughter--the look was effective. He threw back his head and roared. "Oh, if you could just see yourself, Jane!" This was adding insult to injury and Chicken Little burst into tears. "You can just hunt your old pigs yourself--I don't think it's nice of you to laugh when I tried so hard!" "Come, come, I beg your pardon, but you are enough to make an owl laugh, Humbug. It was fine of you to try to rescue the pigs. You girls deserve a great deal of credit, for it is a disagreeable, muddy job. I guess I'll have to make it up to you. I'll tell you what I'll do. You may have this litter for your very own, and we'll send the little girls their share over the cost of keeping, when the pigs are sold. How will that do?" Chicken Little was not in the mood to be easily appeased. "Yes, but you say things are mine till you want to sell them, and then I never see the money." This was touching a sore point. The Doctor had been a little remiss on the subject of the children's ownership of their pets. He was nettled by this accusation. "My dear, when I say a thing I mean it. I was about to add, though, that if I give you the entire proceeds of the pigs I shall expect you to attend to feeding them until they are big enough to be turned in with the drove." "I thought the mother fed them." "Well, the mother pig has to be fed." "Do you really, truly, mean it, Father?" "Truly." Chicken Little forgot the late unpleasantness. "Oh, goody, let's call Katy back and tell her!" Katy was not so far away as might have been anticipated. Her wrath was dissipating also. Dr. Morton lingered to help them a few moments and to satisfy himself that they could not do themselves any damage that a bath and the wash tub could not repair, then left them once more to their own resources. By four o'clock they had all but one of the missing pigs safely stowed in the coop. They were very tired and hot, and decided to save the joy of hunting for the last pig for Ernest and Sherm in the evening.