With shrieks of joy, the good creature bounded over the table and to and fro until she was exhausted.
“Welcome! welcome home!” she cried, her little heart fairly bursting with motherly love and joy.
They chatted until dusk began to steal over Squirreltown. At last they were interrupted by Chatty Chipmunk.
“You are under arrest, Tiny,” he said, gravely. “I am bidden by the mayor to take you to the park which faces the city hall.”
Tiny and his mother good-naturedly followed Chatty, thinking that perhaps he was, as of old, playing some joke upon them.
“Be merciful to me, Tiny,” pleaded Chatty, on their way to the park. “Remember that I am your oldest friend. I promise you that I will lead a useful life in the future. My greatest regret now is that I trifled all my time away when I was young.”
Tiny did not reply. They had entered the green park, facing which was a decayed log with many doors and windows. It was used as a city hall.
WHAT WAS TINY’S SURPRISE TO FIND ALL THE CITIZENS OF SQUIRRELTOWN GATHERED THERE TO MEET HIM!
What was Tiny’s surprise to find all the citizens of Squirreltown gathered there to meet him. There were the aged mayor at the door of the city hall, the militia, the policemen, and all the aldermen and other dignitaries of the city. Every one was dignified and silent. Tiny and his mother were led by two policemen to the little balcony over the entrance to the building. They were unable to speak, from surprise and wonderment.