Hairi and Wulli watched these strange actions in silence. Their attention was centered on the mysterious parcel which Pic carried. It was a round object covered with fuzz, but there appeared to be more of it beneath the badger-hide. The two animals eyed it curiously while Pic looked on, his mouth gradually expanding in a broad grin at their puzzled expressions.
“Is it a pine-cone?” the Mammoth asked.
“Agh! you see only part of it,” Pic chuckled, as he threw back a fold of the badger-skin; “And alive too. Speak softly or you will awaken it.”
“Alive? Then it must be an animal,” the Mammoth whispered; “And something new. I never saw one like it before.”
“Where did you get it?” Wulli asked.
“I have had it for some time,” Pic replied. “You surely must know what it is.”
Both animals took a long, careful look.
“Did it come from this part of the country?” Hairi inquired.
Pic nodded and smiled.
“Wood-chuck.” The Mammoth made this announcement after a moment of deep reflection.