"It seems almost foolish to take Pete along," Mrs. Morton remarked as she pa.s.sed him one morning. "You will have so many pets on the ranch?

Why don't you give him to Katy and Gertie?"

"But, Mother, Pete wouldn't like it. He'd be lonesome without his Chicken Little--wouldn't you, Pete?"

Pete was not in a good humor. "Go off and die," he croaked morosely.

The family laughed at Jane's discomfiture.

As the time approached for them to go, the talk of leaving the parrot behind became more serious. It was already apparent that the family would be overburdened with hand baggage and Pete would be difficult to care for on the train.

Mrs. Morton's globes of wax flowers and fruit were proving a complication. It seemed impossible to pack the fragile handiwork and the delicate gla.s.s shades so there would be any hope of their reaching Kansas safely.

"Confound them," exclaimed Frank in desperation, "I wish Mother could be persuaded to part with the old things. They always did make the cold chills go up and down my back. I guess I have been cautioned 499 times by actual count not to run into those globes and not to joggle the tables they were on."

"But, Frank, the wax flowers and fruit are the very apple of your mother's eye. They were the height of fashion ten years ago. She spent days and days making and coloring them--they really are exquisitely done," protested Marian.

"But they are such a nuisance! Just picture us lugging Jane's parrot and those two huge globes on the train in addition to the satchels and lunch boxes. We'll look like a traveling circus."

Marian laughed at his wry face.

"It is awful--but think of your mother. I'll carry one of the globes myself."

"Not much you won't. You will be tired enough with the journey without that burden."

"I'll carry the fruit," volunteered Ernest. "I expect the boys'll laugh but Mother feels bad enough about going away anyhow."

"Yes, poor Mother is giving up a good deal to go with us. We must always remember that."

"All right, behold me with two satchels in one fist, Mother's tower of wax flowers hugged to my manly breast with the other hand, while I a.s.sist the ladies on the train, and clasp my friends' fists in fond farewell with a third. But what of Chicken Little's parrot?"

"I could carry Pete," said Chicken Little.

"Not unless we left his cage behind, Chick, but don't worry your head.

We will find some way to get the family plunder on board."

Jane was thoughtful for the remainder of the day. She took Pete over to Halford's that afternoon and the children let him hop about from one room to another.

Gertie hovered over him a careful slave, but Katy enjoyed teasing him and made him ruffle up his feathers angrily a time or two.

Chicken Little rescued him, and cuddling him up on her shoulder, carried him tenderly home.

"No, I just couldn't," she said to herself. "I am sure he'd be homesick."

CHAPTER XX

OFF TO THE RANCH

"Mother, there's a whole pile of my clothes up here you forgot to pack."

Chicken Little's voice floated plaintively down the staircase.

"No, that is all right, dear. They are things you have outgrown and I am going to give them to Maggie Casey. Pat is coming for them this morning.

By the way, if I am not here when he comes, just get them for him, will you, please?"

Pat was late and Mrs. Morton had gone over to Marian's before he arrived. Chicken Little gathered up the bundle and soberly presented it to him. Pat thanked her but lingered cap in hand, shifting his weight from one foot to the other uneasily.

"I am sorry you're after going away," he said finally, conquering his embarra.s.sment. "You'll be coming back I hope."

Chicken Little was at a loss for the proper reply. She smiled and asked him if he would like to see Pete.

To her surprise the parrot walked over to Pat at his first chirrup and climbed up on the hand he held out and on up to his shoulder.

"Why, I never saw Pete do that with a stranger before. He must like you."

"We got acquainted that day I brought him home. Didn't we, Pete?" Pat stroked his feathers caressingly and Pete sidled up nearer to his face.

Jane watched them silently. She was thinking.

"I just know he'd be good to him," she said to herself. "And Pete likes him and I don't s'pose Pat's got any pet--but I would miss Pete awfully."

"Have you got a cat at your house, Pat?" she asked presently.

"No, Mother doesn't like cats very well."

Chicken Little studied about two minutes longer then shut her eyes and made the leap.

"Pat, would you like to have Pete,--for your very own?"

"Cricky, I should say, but you're not after leaving him behind, are you?"

"I hate to, but Mother says I'll have lots of pets anyhow at the ranch and Frank says he'll be a nuisance on the train. You'd be awful good to him, wouldn't you, Pat?"

Pat nodded eagerly.

"He calls me when he's hungry. You won't ever forget to feed him or let any of the boys tease him?"

"I'll take the best care I know and Maggie'd love him. She's always wanted a bird."

"I'll get the cage," said Chicken Little, turning away to hide the tears that would come.

But they came in spite of her when she gave Pete a parting squeeze.

"He'll never come to any harm if I can help it," vowed Pat, trying to rea.s.sure her, "but I wouldn't be wanting you to give him to me if you feel so bad."

"Yes, I want to--take him away quick, Pat." She shoved the handle of the cage into Pat's hand and flew upstairs to have her weep in private.