. All for the love of Laddie : written for children and those who love them . run about any longer. The next day I proudly took them out for awalk by my old pen, but the Leghorns didnot seem to be as deeply impressed as I expected;and, instead of being glad I had not disappearedfor good, began laughing at me the same as I took my babies off to the barn-yard, andbegan teaching them to scratch. But if theLeghorns laughed, it was from ignorance andfolly; for I heard the humans say, I had a finefamily and made a good mother. And I considerthat praise enough for any hen. When my babies were
. All for the love of Laddie : written for children and those who love them . run about any longer. The next day I proudly took them out for awalk by my old pen, but the Leghorns didnot seem to be as deeply impressed as I expected;and, instead of being glad I had not disappearedfor good, began laughing at me the same as I took my babies off to the barn-yard, andbegan teaching them to scratch. But if theLeghorns laughed, it was from ignorance andfolly; for I heard the humans say, I had a finefamily and made a good mother. And I considerthat praise enough for any hen. When my babies were grown, more eggs weregiven me and I raised another brood. But assoon as cold weather came, the Leghorns ceasedto lay; and one by one they were caught, weighed,and taken away—never to come back. Only afew of us remained all winter in our comfortablehouse. The next summer I raised four families,and am still as busy as ever. But this is myfourth summer, and I do not know how muchlonger I shall be here. And, Laddie, though Iam not graceful or beautiful, I feel I have ac- ft. ABTOR Lfi.^OX ^.FOO^D- The Old Lady 153 complished a hens noblest mission—being a goodmother to many children. I have never laidmany eggs; and the Leghorns still laugh at me,though I put that down to jealousy long if they are jealous of me, I, in turn, am sorryfor them—for they will never know what itmeans to be a mother, and she closed her eyescontemplatively. Laddie, fearing she might go to sleep, spoketo her gently: What you have told me is most interesting,and I admire you very much indeed. But Iam afraid you quite forgot to tell me whatyou started to. I mean about your specialchildren. O, Laddie! Laddie! That proves I amgetting very old, for when I begin talking aboutmy younger days I forget ever3rthing else. Youhave listened carefully, but have not watchedclosely, or 3^ou would have seen for , Laddie, use your eyes, and tell me why Icall these babies special ones. Because
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, booksubjectanimals, bookyear1915
