“I don’t know what you mean!” said the child; but he went out into the garden and waited.
Presently a squirrel came along, whisking his tail.
“Are you my brother?” asked the child.
The squirrel looked him over carefully.
“Well, I should hope not!” he said. “My fur is neat and smooth, my nest is handsomely made, and in perfect order, and my young ones are properly brought up. Why do you insult me by asking such a question?”
He whisked off, and the child waited.
Presently a wren came hopping by.
“Are you my brother?” asked the child.
“No indeed!” said the wren. “What impertinence! You will find no tidier person than I in the whole garden. Not a feather is out of place, and my eggs are the wonder of all for smoothness and beauty. Brother, indeed!” He hopped off, ruffling his feathers, and the child waited.