At that moment Peggy and Bushy Graysquirrel came running into the room, without stopping to knock at the door.
“Good morning, Mrs. Redsquirrel,” said Peggy.
“We are going over to the Beech Hotel to spend the day with the Blacksquirrel family,” said Bushy, too much excited to draw a long breath. “Come along with us, Tiny. We will play ripple.”
“What is ripple?” asked Mrs. Redsquirrel.
“Oh, it is a fine game!” exclaimed Peggy. “All the squirrels get out on the bough of a tree. Each one throws a nut or a pebble into the brook, and the one that makes the biggest circle gets the prize.”
“Do you want to go, Tiny?” asked his mother.
“No, mother,” said Tiny bravely. “I like to play ripple, but I must gather our winter store before the cold rains begin.”
“Please come with us,” coaxed pretty Bushy, flashing her dark eyes straight into his own.
“I cannot go,” he declared stolidly, turning his back upon her.
“Is he really going to work?” asked Bushy, looking from one to the other in a bewildered way.