"Well I hope I don't bust!" he said. "I never was so glad as I am that everything is good for you." "They's two things that ain't good." "Well if things ain't right here, with what everybody's doing for you, they ought to be!" cried Mickey. "You cut complaining right out, Miss Chicken!" "You forgot to set my lesson, an' I ain't had my po'try piece for two days. That ain't complainin'." "No 'tain't honey," conceded Mickey regretfully. "No 'tain't! That's just all right. I thought you were going to start kicking, and I wasn't going to stand for it. Course I'll set your lesson; course I'll make up your piece, but you must give me a little time. I was talking with Mr. Chaffner of the _Herald, our_ paper you know, and he's beginning to get in a hurry about his piece, too." "I want mine first!" demanded Peaches. "Sure! You'll get it first! Always! But I'm going to do something for you before I make it, 'cause I won't know how it goes 'til afterward. See?" "What you going to do?" she questioned. "What's all the bundles? My they look excitements!" "And so they are!" triumphed Mickey. "Where are all the folks? Do they leave you alone like this?" "No, they don't leave me alone only when I'm asleep in the room," said Peaches. "They saw you coming an' went away 'cause they know families likes to be alone, sometimes. Ain't they smart to know that?" "They are!" said Mickey. "First, you come to your bed a little while. I got something for you." "Ooh Mickey! Those bundles jus' look----!" "Now you hold on. You wait and see, Miss!" Mickey carried her in then he returned for the boxes. He opened one and from it selected a pair of pink stockings and slipped them on Peaches; then tiny, soft buckskin moccasins embroidered and tied with ribbons to match the hose. Peaches squealed and clapped her hand over her mouth to muffle the sound; but Mrs. Harding heard and came to the door. Mickey asked for help. "Young ladies who are going automobiling and taking walks are well enough to have dresses, and things that all _good_ girls have," he announced. "But I'm a little dubious about how these things go. Will you dress her?" "Yes," said Mrs. Harding. "You fill the water bucket and the wood box, and start the fire for supper." Mrs. Harding looked over the contents of the box and from plain soft pieces of underwear chose a gauze shirt, a dainty combination suit and a tucked and trimmed petticoat, while Peaches laughed and sobbed for pure joy. Then Mickey came, and Mrs. Harding went away. After various trials he decided on a white dress with pink ribbons run in the neck, sleeves, and belt, slipping it on her and carefully fastening it. "Mickey, I want the glass!" she begged. "Please, oh please hurry, Mickey." "Now you just wait, Miss Chicken!" said Mickey.