Ernest and Sherm had spent the preceding evening erecting a remarkable arch over the front gate with "Welcome to Our City" done in charcoal letters a foot high on a strip of white paper cambric, depending from it, and an American flag proudly floating above. The girls completed this modest design by trimming up the gate posts with boughs. Mrs. Morton's preparations were more practical. Three peach and three custard pies crowded a chocolate cake and a pan of ginger cookies on the lowest pantry shelf. The bread box lid would not shut, the box was so full, and a whole boiled ham was cooling down at the spring house, not to mention six dismembered spring chickens which had been offered up in place of the regulation calf. "I shouldn't mind if they had cooked two of the pigs," groaned Katy. They were giving their charges an extra big feed, being fearful lest they should forget them in the excitement of the guests' arrival. "Neither would I," Chicken Little replied with a sigh. "I'm sick of the sight of 'em!" Gertie threw a carrot and hit the one time beauteous white one with the curly tail, so smart a rap on his snout that he squealed his disapproval while his relatives bagged the carrot. "I don't care if I don't get any money for my share of 'em," said Katy after a pause of disgusted contemplation of the pigs. "I'd have to spend it for something useful like as not, or give some of it to the heathens. Let's give them back to your father." "I'd just as lief, only Frank and the boys would tease us everlastingly if we backed out now--and we've worked so hard!" "I don't care. I'd just as lief quit." Gertie's discouraged expression was so funny that Chicken Little laughed and Gertie, the patient, flared. She hated to be funny. "Stop it--I am not going to help you feed those horrid pigs another time, Chicken Little Jane Morton. I've just been doing it to help you out. And I don't think it's a suitable occupation for girls--or company!" Gertie climbed down from her perch on the log pen and departed with dignity. "Humph, I guess I never asked you to help me. Besides, you expected to get as much money as I did. You can just go off and sulk if you want to." "Well, I don't think that is a nice way to talk to your guests." Katy climbed down and departed to soothe her sister. Chicken Little whacked her heels against the logs and made a face at the nearest pig to relieve her feelings. She loathed the creatures. She wished she could wipe them off the face of the earth. Katy was half way to the house when she had an inspiration. "Katy!" she called eagerly, "Katy, I've got an idea." Katy continued her way without glancing 'round. "It's something you'll like." Katy wavered and unbent enough to ask: "What is it?" "Come here and I'll tell you. I'm not going to yell it." Katy considered and finally returned reluctantly.