“I wish to visit Miss Hare’s school.”
SHE OPENED THE DOOR AND ADMITTED THE OWL PROPHET.
She opened the door and admitted the owl prophet, whose feathers were smoothed down in perfect condition.
“I am very glad to see you,” said the teacher. “It is so seldom you go abroad in the daytime that I am honored to have you visit us.”
“Between you and me, I have long been wishing for an opportunity to visit your school,” returned the owl with a bow.
“With whom are you living now?” asked Miss Hare, offering him a perch by the side of her desk.
“My brother and I are living with the Bat family. I grew tired of my old castle, because it was at the edge of the great forest, and the wind was too strong there. One night he and I were blown from our perches. Mr. and Mrs. Bat took my brother and me to their home. It is very comfortable there, and we owls like comfort, you know.”
Mr. Owl then looked over the class with his great, yellow eyes. For the first time, Tiny observed that owls’ eyes do not move in their sockets as the eyes of most creatures do; but that, to make up for that, nature has made it possible for the owl to turn his head almost entirely around to see objects. Miss Hare’s eyes were quite different from those of Mr. Owl; for she had no eyelids, and Tiny had learned that, when she slept, a thin white membrane covered her eyes.
“Will you remain awhile with my pupils and me?” asked Miss Hare.