Henceforth eggs and omelets
became a regular part of the breakfast, and the puddings were
notably improved.
The chickens gave very little trouble, as they foraged about for
themselves, finding an abundance of insects everywhere, and getting
in addition a few pots of Indian corn every morning. Maud and Ethel
took it by turns, week about, to take charge of the hen-house; and
a great pleasure was it to them to watch the numerous broods of
young chickens, and to hunt up the eggs which, in spite of the
nests temptingly prepared for them, the hens would frequently
persist in laying in nests of their own in the long grass.
The hens had, however, a numerous foe, who were a great trouble to
their young mistresses. These were the skunks, an animal of the
weasel tribe, but much resembling squirrels in appearance, and
possessing a most abominable smell; so much so that the dogs, who
would attack almost anything, would run away from them. They were
at first exceedingly common, and created terrible depredations
among the hens. The girls were in despair, and called in their
brothers to their assistance. The boys shot a good many, for the
animals were very tame and fearless; but their number was so great
that this method of destruction was of slight avail.
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