“MR. REDFOX, THIS IS MR. REDSQUIRREL,” SAID THE BEAVER.
“Mr. Redfox, this is Mr. Redsquirrel,” said the beaver. “Mr. Redsquirrel is a new scholar and Miss Hare said he should share your room to-night.”
“He is most welcome,” said Reynard with a smile that made Tiny tremble all over. “I always was fond of squirrels. I fancy we shall get along famously together, as he takes up so little room.”
“I assure you I shall occupy as little space as possible,” replied Tiny, politely. “I shall sleep here by the door, and, if I annoy you during the night, all you have to do is to make a noise and I will jump into the creek.”
“You are quite safe,” assured the fox, settling himself for a nap. “Since I have been at this school I have learned how cowardly it is to injure creatures smaller and weaker than myself. I hope you will like our school.”
“I hope so, too,” said Tiny, faintly. “Of course, it will take time to get acquainted with all the strange animals I shall meet. I have seen little of the world.”
“Just be kind and unselfish, and you will make friends,” said the red fox. “When you see another animal that doesn’t please you, don’t stare at him as you did at me, but be as agreeable as you can. Remember that it would be a very monotonous world if all animals should look and act alike.”
“Miss Hare must be a very nice creature,” ventured Tiny.
“She is very wise and talented,” said the fox with enthusiasm. “Some of the most aristocratic families in Animal Kingdom are represented in her school. I have heard that she belongs to the nobility. You know she is a Belgian Hare, and I believe I heard some one say that her father was a Welsh Rabbit.”