"Do you not want to see this man? Then let us go on, because I also would like to know him."
"And if he wants to hurt us?"
"Then we will defend ourselves. I will go first and explore the surroundings, and will come back at once."
And saying this, the squirrel started to run with the quickness usual to his race, returning after a little while very much frightened.
"Do you know," he said, "that the man with the two faces is at the present moment giving a terrible hiding to some boys that he has shut up in a cage?"
"They must be naughty boys, but I am good, and he will give me toys."
"I don't know about that, because the only thing I have seen him give is knocks; and do you know what he was saying?
"'This one I like, that one, no;
But I shall kill them all, O!'"
"Was he saying that?"
"Just what I am telling you. I have only seen his gay face which is in the back of his head, and on seeing him I closed my eyes and came away quickly, for if he sees me he will tear me to bits."