CHAPTER III.
THE STRANGE SCHOOL CLASS.
Full many a beauteous lesson, too,
Their rosy lips can teach;
Great men would wonder if they knew
How well the fairies preach.
Havergal.
One day in June, when the sky was as blue as it is in Italy, and when all the trees and shrubs were dressed in bright green, there was a curious sight in the Fairy Garden of Castle Frank. Under the shade of a big apple-tree, and upon a long school-like seat, there sat twelve little jet-black squirrels. They were but half-grown creatures, the offspring of different parents. They sat upon their haunches, all in a row, with their forefeet raised as hands, holding tiny slates. Right in front of them stood Robin, giving them a question in arithmetic to answer.
"How many walnuts are 2 and 4 and 6?"
"How many walnuts are 2 and 4 and 6?"
"Not half enough for them anyway," said a tame grey parrot, sitting on a branch above the class.