1. Poor Betty had plenty of time to think over all her troubles. But after two or three days she heard a sound which made her feel very happy.  
2. It was the voice of her old friend the[Pg 125] coachman, who had come to fetch her away. She cackled to him in a most loving way; but, alas¹! the coachman had nothing to say to her.
 
3. He was cross and sulky because Betty had not won a prize.
 
"Poor thing!" said the cook when Betty[Pg 126] got home, "what an object she looks to be sure! She is as light as a feather.
 
4. "The mother that hatched her won't know her again. I declare that I don't believe this is our Betty at all, but some old rubbish of a bird they have sent us instead!"
 
5. "Oh yes," said her mistress, coming up to look, "it is our Betty. But I beg of you to get rid of her at once. I cannot bear the sight of her after thinking she would get a prize."
 
6. "Shall I step out and do it at once?" said the cook, calmly.
 
"No, no!" said the mistress. "Do not kill her. Give her away. She will be a useful hen to some one else, and is sure to lay plenty of eggs."
 
"Very good, ma'am," replied the cook.
 
7. There was no washing this time before Betty was sent away. That was one comfort. She was huddled², just as she was, into a hamper³, and sent as a present to a friend of the cook.
 
8. This friend was the wife of a farmer, and she was such a kind, good, rosy⁴, happy,[Pg 127] pleasant woman, that it was quite a treat to look at her. She lived about five miles from Betty's old home.
 
9. The large farm-yard into which Betty now stepped from her hamper, was like a new world to her. She began at once to dig with those of her sharp claws which were left.
 
10. And finding chalk............