we have any nuts we have to fix 'em now. But I'm ahead, 'cos Uncle Wesley made me this board, and I can hull a big pile while the old squirrel does only ist one with his teeth."
Elnora picked him up and kissed him. "Billy, are you happy?" she asked.
"Yes, and so's Snap," answered Billy. "You ought to see him make the dirt fly when he gets after a chipmunk. I bet you he could dig up pa, if anybody wanted him to."
"Billy!" gasped Margaret as she came out to them.
"Well, me and Snap don't want him up, and I bet you Jimmy and Belle don't, either. I ain't been twisty inside once since I been here, and I don't want to go away, and Snap don't, either. He told me so."
"Billy! That is not true. Dogs can't talk," cautioned Margaret.
"Then what makes you open the door when he asks you to?" demanded Billy.
"Scratching and whining isn't talking."
"Anyway, it's the best Snap can talk, and you get up and do things he wants done. Chipmunks can talk too. You ought to hear them dam things holler when Snap gets them!"
"Billy! When you want a cooky for supper and I don't give it to you it is because you said a wrong word."
"Well, for" Billy clapped his hand over his mouth and stained his face in swipes. "Well, for—anything! Did I go an' forget again! The cookies will get
