Here are the eggs, Mama. Thank you, Fern. What's Papa gonna do with that axe? Some...

Fern Arable: [Enters kitchen and puts eggs on the kitchen counter] Here are the eggs, Mama.
Mrs. Arable: [Flipping pancakes] Thank you, Fern.
Fern Arable: What's Papa gonna do with that axe?
Mrs. Arable: [Poors more batter on pancake griddle] Some pigs were born last night.
Fern Arable: What does he need an axe for?
Mrs. Arable: One of the pigs was a runt, so your father has to do away with it.
Fern Arable: Do away with it? You, you mean, kill it?
Mrs. Arable: Well, yes.
Fern Arable: [shocked] Just because it's smaller than the others?
Mrs. Arable: Don't yell, Fern. The pig'll probably die, anyway