Little Bear at Work and at Play

by Frances Margaret Fox

The three opened their blue-covered books.

"Joan, you may read the lesson first, if you please."

So Joan read, "I—see—a-cat."

"Good!" said the master. "Mary, you may read."

"I-see-a-cat," read Mary. She knew every word of that lesson.

"Now, Simon," spoke the master to the boy, "let us hear you read."

Little Bear was sure that Simon did not know his lesson. He was sure of it because Simon acted so foolish and looked so unhappy. He stood on one foot

[Illustration: Little Bear leaned forward until his paws rested on the window sill]

and then on the other and twisted and squirmed until the girls giggled.

"Come, Simon," urged the master, "we are waiting." It happened that Little Bear felt so sorry for Simon that he forgot all about himself, and leaned forward until his paws rested on the window sill. No one noticed him then, because bushes clustered close round that window and he had made no sound.