“I am Tiny Redsquirrel of Squirreltown. I desire very much to get an education.”
“I will let you stay if you will obey the rules,” said Miss Hare, severely. “I have always heard that red squirrels are very mischievous animals. You must know that I will not permit any foolishness. Not long ago Mr. Owl brought a pupil here who was so very saucy and naughty that I was glad to get rid of him. Although I taught him the lessons of kindness and charity, he bit Weenie Mouse and hit Winkie Weasel with an acorn. One day he tore out one of Katie Goose’s feathers and frightened the poor fowl almost to death. I never before saw such a bad creature. He looked very much like you. Do you know Chatty Chipmunk?”
“Yes, ma’am,” replied Tiny, heartily ashamed of his youthful companion. “Is he at this school?”
“No, he forsook us before he had been here three days,” answered Miss Hare. “I think he must have been drowned. I will give you a trial; but if you prove unworthy of my school I will never receive any more pupils brought to me by Mr. Owl. Good-night.”
“Come on,” said the beaver. “I will take you to meet your roommate.”
“Oh, I cannot room with a red fox!” protested Tiny, much alarmed. “He will eat me during his sleep.”
“You need have no fear,” said the beaver assuringly. “Miss Hare has taught all her pupils the lesson of self-denial. She puts all sorts of temptations in their way, but none of them ever yield unless they are downright bad, as Chatty Chipmunk was. Reynard Redfox is very well bred. He and Bantam Chicken are the best of friends. Wherever you see Bantam, you may also see Reynard following after him.”
Tiny did not feel very comfortable when the beaver opened the door of one of the buildings and told him to enter.
Three or four fireflies, whose duty it was to carry lanterns, flew about the room, making it very light. Reynard Redfox, who was very large compared with Tiny, rose and shook out his stiff, long-haired coat. He gazed hungrily at the little red squirrel as though he were starving for his companionship.
