“I can’t see any bear, but I can make out a dipper.”
“Make it,” said Uncle Henry.
When Peter finished putting down little pebbles the little dipper was very plain, just above the great bear’s back.
Then Uncle Henry solemnly drew an outline around the seven small pebbles.
“Oooh, what a funny bear!” laughed Betty, when Uncle Henry’s finger had finished. “His tail is so long!”
“Bears always have short tails,” said Peter, looking reproachfully at Uncle Henry, as if that person was responsible. There was, however, a note of expectancy in Peter’s voice. He expected a satisfactory explanation from Uncle Henry.
“This bear once had as short a tail as any other bear,” said Uncle Henry, quite undisturbed.