WHEN Binney came to London, he was taken to the house of a gentleman who was very fond of animals. This gentleman was a very wise and good man, and he has written a number of charming books about animals, which you will read some day. Binney was taken into a room on the ground-floor, where sat a very nice and kind looking old lady, who was busy stoning raisins.
"A sailor has just brought this here little beast to my master, ma'am," said the servant. "Here is a letter which came along with it."
"I suppose it must be the beaver which Mr. B— expected from Canada," said the old lady, who was the housekeeper. "Poor thing! How dirty it is. Bring a basin of water, Thomas. I dare say it will like to drink."
Thomas brought a large basin full of clean water, and set it down on the stone hearth. Now Binney had not had any water to wash in for a long, long time, and seeing this fine bowl of clean water, he plunged into it head first, rolling about and grunting with delight.
"Poor thing, how pleased it is with its bath," said the old lady, who was very neat herself, and a great admirer of cleanliness in others. "I have heard that beavers live mostly in the water. I wonder what it eats?"
"I am sure I don't know," said Thomas, who, to say the truth, did not know much about any thing except opening the door, and waiting upon the table. "I can't think why master wants so many animals about. Dirty things, always making a litter for me to clean up."
"As to that, Thomas, your master has a right to please himself," said the old lady. "I suppose, at any rate, a biscuit will do the creature no harm."
She opened a cupboard door as she spoke, and taking out a large sweet biscuit, she gave it to Binney, who had never before tasted anything so good. It was soon eaten, and Binney, after combing out his fur with his claws, lay down at the housekeeper's feet, and fell fast asleep.
By and by Mr. B— came home to his dinner, which he usually took quite late. As Thomas was clearing away the things, he said to his master:
"If you please, sir, the beaver have come, and brought you a letter from Canada."