Chapter IX

HURRAH for the Fourth! Jack was out of [bed] before the [sun] rose. He could not wait for breakfast, but drank a [cup] of milk, and ran out to find the other [boys]. Jimmy Crow went too. Bob and Russell came up just then, with their pockets full of [firecrackers], and they all began firing them on the lawn. [Jimmy Crow] liked the little red things, and begged for some, but the boys only laughed at him.

Pretty soon [Jack] lighted a whole [string of firecrackers], and threw it down, and all the [boys] ran away. Then [Jimmy Crow] saw his chance, and he seized the bunch of crackers and flew in at Grandma's open window!

He lighted on Pepper's [perch]. [Pepper] tried to bite him, but bang! went a [firecracker]!

Both [birds] jumped, and Jimmy dropped the bunch on the carpet. Bang! went another [firecracker], and bang! bang! went [two firecrackers]. Then a dozen flew out, banging, over the floor.

"Caw! Caw!" screamed [Jimmy Crow]. "Fire! Fire!" screamed [Pepper]. "Jack! Jack!" screamed [Grandma]. She was trying to pick up the bunch with the [fire tongs], when [Jack] ran in. He threw a [rug] over the [string of firecrackers], gathered them up in it, and threw all out of the [window]. [Grandma] sat down in her arm-[chair] very pale. Jack kissed her. "I'm sorry we scared you so," he said. "Now you rest while I clear up."

He brought the [brush] and [dustpan], and swept up the litter. Then he gave [Pepper the parrot] a [peanut] and took [Jimmy Crow] under his [arm]. "Pepper didn't 'want a _cracker_,' that time, did she, Grandma?" said he. "Now we'll go further away." But just then the breakfast [bell] rang. [Edith Francis Foster]

[JIMMY CROW'S BIRTHDAY PARTY.]

JIMMY CROW.