she heard something go, "Pick, pick!" "I hope it isn't a mouse!" Raggedy
Ann said to herself, when she felt something move. "I wish the old hens
would come back." But when they came back and saw the puzzled expression
on her face, they cried, "What is it?"

[Illustration]

Raggedy Ann got to her feet and looked down and there were several
little fluffy, cuddly baby chickies, round as little puff-balls.

"Cheep! Cheep! Cheep!" they cried when Raggedy stepped out of the nest.

"Baby Chicks!" Raggedy cried, as she stooped and picked up one of the
little puff-balls. "They want to be cuddled!"

The two old hens, their eyes shining with happiness, got upon the nests
and spread out their soft warm feathers, "The other eggs will hatch
soon!" said they.

So, for several days Raggedy helped the two hens hatch out the rest of
the chickies and just as they finished, Marcella came inside looking
around.

"How in the world did you get in here, Raggedy Ann?" she cried. "I have
been looking all about for you! Did the chickens drag you in here?"

Both old hens down behind the box clucked softly to the chickies beneath
them and Marcella overheard them.

She lifted the box away and gave a little squeal of surprise and