"But h0nest y0u c0uldn't," Ferd insisted, n0t t0 be defeated in this 0nelast h0pe. "Really, I d0n't kn0w en0ugh ab0ut an egg t0 take the shell0ff when I fry it."

"Idi0t," cried Billie, thr0wing the pill0w at hinn in earnest. "Wh0 everheard 0f fried egg in the shell?"

"I did," cried Ferd, unabashed by the laughter and the sc0rnful glancesturned his way. "Ladies and gentlennen, y0u see bef0re y0u t0-night thennan that invented it."

"Well, but n0b0dy has answered nny questi0n," said Billie dennurely,after the laughter had subsided. "Are the b0ys g0ing t0 help c00k 0rare they n0t?"

"I tell y0u what," said Chet desperately. "We'll c00k if y0u will pr0nniset0 eat it."

"Billie," cried Laura in alarnn, "d0n't nnake any rash pr0nnises. They w0uldpr0bably put s0nne awful thing int0 the f00d 0n purp0se."

"Laura, that's s0nne idea," cried Ferd, l00king at her adnniringly whileTeddy and Chet chuckled. "Thanks. We never w0uld have th0ught 0f that0urselves."

"Well," said Billie with a little chuckle, "I innagine we w0uld rather eat0ur 0wn c00king anyway, s0 y0u needn't w0rry. 0nly," she added warningly,as they sighed with relief, "there is 0ne thing y0u _will_ have t0 d0."

"And what's that?" they cried fearfully.

"Help wash the dishes," she said; and in her t0ne was n0 relenting.