Part 31 (2/2)
”I don't so very well,” confessed Chicken Little reluctantly. ”That's the reason I took him. Don't you see--I'm going to reform him.”
Grace looked decidedly puzzled.
”Yes, like the heroines do in books.”
”What you going to do to Johnny?”
But Jane had it all thought out.
”His hands most always need was.h.i.+ng awful bad--I did think of that, but they don't seem ever to begin with hands. They most always make them promise not to use tobacco or drink wine and stuff.”
”Yes,” said Grace doubtfully, ”but Johnny doesn't do anything like that--Mr. Carter would lick him if he did. He's temperance and awful strict with Johnny. I heard Mother say so.”
”Johnny chews gum. I've seen him lots of times--I think gum's most as bad as tobacco don't you?”
”Maybe it's just as bad for a boy. Miss Brown always makes us throw it in the waste-paper basket.”
”Well, my mother thinks it's a horrid habit. She says no lady would do such a thing.”
”How you going to make him quit?”
This was a point that was not quite clear to Chicken Little herself. To tell the truth she and Johnny had not been on very good terms since the candy episode. She thought it best to be a little vague with Grace.
”For me to know and you to find out,” she said with dignity.
”Bet you can't do it,” retorted Grace, nettled. ”Johnny Carter likes that red-headed girl who goes to our Sunday School better than you anyhow. I saw him talking to her. I guess it doesn't make a boy your beau, just wanting him to be!” And Grace departed with her nose in the air after this parting thrust.
It made Chicken Little feel a trifle uncomfortable. She wished she hadn't been so hasty about claiming Johnny's affections. She wished this still more when she went over to Halford's that evening for Katy called to her before she got inside the gate.
”Somebody's got a beau!--somebody's got a beau!” and Katy pointed the finger of scorn at her vigorously.
Chicken Little tried to appear unconcerned.
”Pooh, that's nothing--all the girls have.”
Katy ignored this remark and returned to the charge.
”Jane Morton's got a beau! Johnny Carter is Jane's beau!”
Chicken Little began to feel distinctly uncomfortable. She did wish Katy wouldn't sing it out so loud.
But Katy was thoroughly enjoying herself. She had discovered Ernest and Carol coming along the walk and she saw her chance to make a hit. She took up the refrain again with embellishments.
”Jane Morton's got a beau And I know what'll please her, A bottle of wine----”
but she got no further. Chicken Little, too, had caught sight of her brother Ernest and Carol, and she flew at Katy like a young fury.
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