“Have you asked father if you might keep hens?” she inquired of Johnnie, but he only shook his head mysteriously.

Chips’ mother found him equally uncommunicative.  She would stand at her window which overlooked the Fords’ back yard, and watch the boys throw kindling into the shed, or sweep the paths, and wonder greatly in her own mind.  “Bless their little hearts, what can it all be about?” she questioned, but she could not get at the truth.

Suddenly the children ceased asking for jobs, and announced that they had all the money they cared for.  The day after this announcement was the first of April.  When Mr. Ford came home to dinner that day, he missed Johnnie.

“I suppose some of his schoolmates have persuaded him to stay and share their lunch,” explained Mrs. Ford.

She had scarcely finished speaking when Mrs. Wood came in, inquiring for Chips.  “I have not seen him for two hours,” she said, “and I cannot help feeling a little anxious, for the children have behaved so queerly lately.”

“I know,” returned Mrs. Ford, beginning to look worried.  “Why, do you know, Johnnie didn’t play a trick on one of us this morning.  I actually had to remind him that it was April Fools’ Day.”

Mr. Ford laughed.  “How woe-begone you both look!  I think there is a very simple explanation of the boys’ absence.  Chips probably went to school to meet Johnnie, who has persuaded him to stay during the play hour.  I will drive around there on my way to business and send Chips home.”

The mothers welcomed this idea warmly; and in a short time Mr. Ford set out, but upon reaching the school was met with the word that Johnnie had not been seen there at all that morning.  Then it was his turn to look anxious.  He drove about, questioning every one, until he finally obtained a clue at the meat market where he dealt.

“Your little boy was in here this morning about half past ten, after a ham.  He wouldn’t have it charged; said ’twas for himself,” said the market-man, laughing at the remembrance.  “He didn’t have quite enough money to pay for it, but I told him I guessed that would be all right, and off they went, him and the little Wood boy, luggin’ that ham most as big as they was.”

“Then they were together.  Which way did they go?”

“Straight south, I know, ’cause I went to the door and watched ’em.  You haven’t lost ’em, have you?”

“I hope not,” and Mr. Ford sprang into his buggy, and drove off in the direction indicated, occasionally stopping to inquire if the children had been seen.  To his great satisfaction he found it easy to trace them, thanks to the ham; and a little beyond the outskirts of the town he saw a promising speck ahead of him on the flat, white road.  As he drew nearer, the speck widened and heightened into two little boys trudging along before him.  His heart gave a thankful bound at sight of the dear little legs in their black stockings and knee breeches, and leaving his buggy by the side of the road, he walked rapidly forward and caught up with the boys, who turned and faced him as he approached.  Displeased as he was, Mr. Ford could hardly resist a hearty laugh at the comical appearance of the runaways.  Chips carried the big, heavy ham, and Johnnie was keeping firm hold of a hen, who stretched her neck and looked very uncomfortable in her quarters under his arm.