"Clean grit, that sister of yours!" he ended. "She never even let go of that plaguey dog. The tears was a streamin' down her face and I low she'd pray one minute and let out a yell at them blasted steers the next." The tears stood in Frank's eyes as he hugged both Jane and Jilly close after Mr. Benton drove away. "I'll never forget this, little sister." "Why, Frank, it was the only thing I could do. Marian trusted Jilly to me and I couldn't let poor little Huz be killed!" Huz evidently approved this last sentiment, for he gambolled around the group, doing his doggish best to please. Chicken Little's modesty, however, was destined to be short-lived. By the time her mother and Marian and Ernest had all praised and made much of her exploit, she felt herself a real heroine. She was a natural-born dreamer, and she spent the remainder of the day in misty visions of wondrous adventures in which she always played the leading part. CHAPTER II HARKING BACK TO CENTERVILLE Mrs. Morton was sitting by the dining room window one afternoon about a week later, busily knitting. "Here comes Father, Jane. Run out and get the mail. There should be a letter from Alice telling about the wedding and when they are coming." "Oh, I do hope there is!" Chicken Little flew out the door and down the path to the road where Father was unloading bundles before he drove on to the stables. "From Alice? Yes, and one from Katy and Gertie, and three for Marian. She's the popular lady this time." Dr. Morton handed out the treasures. "Hurry, Mother," Chicken Little fairly wriggled with eagerness as she tossed the letters into her mother's lap. "Don't be so impatient, child! Little ladies should cultivate repose of manner. Where are my spectacles? I was sure I laid them on the desk." Mrs. Morton was peering around anxiously on desk and table and mantel, when Chicken Little suddenly began to laugh. "On your head, Mumsey, on your head! Hurry up and read the letter--I just can't wait." Her mother carefully unfolded the sheets and read them to herself deliberately before satisfying Jane's curiosity. "They are not coming until the last of June," she said finally. "Dick has an important case set for the tenth and they would have to make a hurried trip if they came before that, so they have settled down in the old home till the law suit is over. Then they are coming for a nice long visit. Alice says if Dick wins the case they are going clear to San Francisco, but if he doesn't, they'll go only as far as Denver. Oh, here's a note for you, Chicken Little, from Dick. And Alice says, perhaps they'll bring Katy and Gertie with them, if it is convenient for us to entertain so many, and leave them here while they go on out West. Dear me, I don't know! Gertie hasn't been very well, it seems, and Mrs. Halford is anxious to have her go to the country somewhere. Why, child----"