Part 23 (2/2)

Mr. Harding seated Alice and delivered the sewing basket.

”Here is something very special Miss Jane Morton wished me to give you.

I have an idea its contents may surprise you, judging from certain sounds I heard.”

Alice took it on her lap and lifted the cover.

A sheet of bright pink note paper lay on top. It read, ”With love for Alice so you won't be lonesome.”

Beneath the note paper a tiny gray head peeped out from under a doll blanket and a plaintive ”miauw” greeted her.

”Well, I never!” laughed Alice. ”What can I do with it?”

”Keep the basket and I'll put kitty in my pocket and dispose of her some way.”

”No, indeed, I'll manage somehow--bless the child. This must be the kitty Grace Dart promised her. If they'll only let me keep it at Uncle Joseph's I believe it will be a real comfort.”

d.i.c.k Harding lifted Jane up for a parting wave to Alice through the car window as the train pulled out. Alice held up a pert maltese kitten and made it wave its paw in return.

”Why--where did she get that kitten?” gasped Mrs. Morton, a sudden suspicion entering her mind. ”Chicken Little Jane was that what you had in that basket?”

Chicken Little looked abashed, but d.i.c.k Harding came to the rescue.

”Mrs. Morton, may Jane walk up with me--I'll take good care of her?”

After a moment's hesitation Mrs. Morton consented. d.i.c.k handed her into the omnibus and Chicken Little trotted joyfully along beside him. d.i.c.k Harding seemed to enjoy having the warm little hand tucked confidingly into his own.

It was an ideal winter day, clear and crisp and gorgeously white.

They walked along in silence for a few minutes before Jane burst out with the idea that was occupying her small brain.

”Why does it make people nicer to go to school a lot? I don't think Alice could be any nicer, do you, Mr. Harding? Our teacher's gone to school, oh, most always, I guess, and I don't think she's near as nice as Alice.”

d.i.c.k Harding laughed heartily.

”Miss Alice is A1, isn't she? And we don't like to have her go away so far--do we? Education doesn't always make people nicer, but it often helps, Chicken Little. You like your father's ways rather better than old Jake's don't you? Well, your father has education and Jake hasn't.

That's not all the difference but it is part. Besides, even if it didn't make us nicer to know things, it is rather good fun to learn them, don't you think?”

He patted the hand in his and smiled down at her. Chicken Little partly understanding yet puzzled, smiled back.

They walked on a half block farther before Jane found anything more to say.

”I guess Alice won't be lonesome now she's got the kitty. Don't you think it was a pretty kitty? I wanted it awfully bad myself but I've got Ernest and Katy and Gertie to play with and Alice won't have anybody you know.”

d.i.c.k Harding stifled a laugh as he recalled Alice's surprised face.

”I think that was an uncommonly pretty kitty and you were very generous to give it away when you wanted it yourself. It is mighty hard to part with things we want ourselves, don't you think so, little partner?”

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