"It ain't no use t' call Mary in--Mary can't handle her no better'n I can--
an' not so good. Jos'phine, yuh got--"

"Here's where we shine," broke in a cheery voice which was sweet to the
ears, just then. "Chip and I ain't wrassled with bronks all our lives
for nothing. This is dead easy--all same branding calves. Ketch hold
of her heels, Splinter--that's the talk. Countess, you better set your
back against that door--some of these dogies is thinking of taking a
sneak on us--and we'd have t' go some, to cut 'em out uh that bunch out
there and corral 'em again. There yuh are, Doctor--sail in."

Upheld mentally by the unfailing sunniness of Weary and the calm
determination of Chip, to whom flying heels and squirming bodies
were as nothing, or at most a mere trifle, the Little Doctor set
to work with a thoroughness and dispatch which struck terror to
the hearts of the guilty seven.

It did not take long--as Weary had said, it was very much like branding
calves. No sooner was one child made to disgorge and laid, limp and
subdued, upon the bed, than Chip and Weary seized another dexterously
by heels and head. The Countess did nothing beyond guarding the door
and acting as chaperon to the undaunted Little Doctor; but she did her
duty and held her tongue afterward--which was a great deal for her to do.

The Little Doctor sat down in a chair, when it was all over, looking
rather white. Chip moved nearer, though there was really nothing that
he could do beyond handing her a glass of water, which she accepted
gratefully.

Weary held a little paper trough of tobacco in his fingers and drew the