"Work and all?"
"Why, as to that, I have had to work a great deal harder since I left home than ever I did before, and have had plenty of cuffs and bites into the bargain. And besides, if you will excuse me for saying so—"
"Say away," said his friend.
"I do really think that town-beavers have better times than wood-beavers. To be sure, they have to work sometimes when they don't like it, but then each one has his own special task, and no one crowds or imposes on another. They have plenty of time for fun, and when they do play, they enjoy it very much."
"You did not think so when you were sent after the birch twigs," said the wood-beaver.
"No," said Binney, with a deep sigh; "but I have learned a great deal since that time."
"Well, little one, I think upon the whole you are right," said the wood-beaver; "I do believe you are."
"If you think so, why don't you come back to the town yourself?" said Binney, rather timidly.
The wood-beaver sighed. "They would not let me, Binney. Don't you know it is the rule, that when a beaver is once driven away from the town, he can never come back again. Even if I could return, I am too old; I could not learn to work, and I should not know what to do with myself in respectable society. No, I have made my choice, and now I must abide by it. But you are young, and they will pardon you for running away. I advise you never to try it again, but to obey the laws, and live in peace. See, here is the brook."
"Is this our brook?" asked Binney. "It looks much larger."