[Illustration:]

All three ran eagerly down the pathway until they came across Sir
Cockerel perched in a dignified attitude on the fence.

"What do you think?" asked Mrs. Hen, who, being the eldest, thought
she was entitled to speak first; but before she could open her mouth
Wee Peter Pug cried, "I've hidden the Dame's shoe!"

"What a splendid joke!" exclaimed Sir Cockerel.

"Does Mrs. Duck know?" asked Sir Cockerel.

"No, let's see if we can find her," said Wee Peter.

[Illustration:]

[Illustration:]

"What's all the excitement about?" demanded Mrs. Duck when she saw
them coming to the lakeside.

"I've hidden the Dame's shoe," said Peter.

Mrs. Duck quacked uproariously.

"I've never heard anything so funny!" she declared.

[Illustration:]