Mr. Owl seemed greatly pleased, but he checked Tiny’s polite thanks by saying:
“You look much like Chatty Chipmunk.”
“Yes, but he is smaller than I,” replied Tiny with another bow.
For a few minutes Miss Hare and Mr. Owl talked concerning the school. It was evident to Tiny that Mr. Owl was one of the trustees and that he was doing a great deal to make the school successful, as all trustees should do.
At last he turned to the class and said:
“You must all study very hard; for soon the days will get warmer; then you will have spring fever. I want each of the graduating class to write a composition to be recited on the last day of school. A prize will be given to the pupil who writes the best one. He that wins the prize will be a very happy creature. Him that wins I will give another prize of even greater value.”
The scholars were made very happy by this announcement of Mr. Owl; and, while he was preparing to leave, they all rose from their seats and stood in respectful silence until Miss Hare sat down again. Then they began to study harder than ever before.