to prove the truth of her words the mule uttered
another loud "Hee-haw!"

At this all the Roses turned on their stems as
far as they were able and trembled as if some one
were shaking their bushes. A dainty Moss Rose
gasped: "Dear me! How dreadfully dreadful!"

"It isn't dreadful at all," said Betsy, somewhat
indignant. "When you get used to Hank's voice it
will put you to sleep."

The Roses now looked at the mule less fearfully
and one of them asked:

"Is that savage beast named Hank?"

"Yes; Hank's my comrade, faithful and true,"
answered the girl, twining her arms around the
little mule's neck and hugging him tight. "Aren't
you, Hank?"

Hank could only say in reply: "Hee-haw!" and at
his bray the Roses shivered again.

"Please go away!" begged one. "Can't you see
you're frightening us out of a week's growth?"

"Go away!" echoed Betsy. "Why, we've no place to
go. We've just been wrecked."