“It must not be killed,” said Miss Cummings. “We will put it in our aquarium.”
“I’ll take it,” offered Tavia, for whom a bug, that could crawl, creep or fly, had no terrors.
“Thank you,” said Miss Cummings frigidly, “but I prefer to take care of it myself.”
With this she took the tiny terra-cotta crawler on a bit of paper, and carefully placed it in her handbag.
Fearful that the insect might die the teacher did not close the bag.
Have you ever seen a lizard in the woods in Autumn? Do you think you could keep one in an open handbag?
The woods were explored to the satisfaction of the teachers, and the delight of their pupils. Then they all started for the Hall.
At a little spring house, a shed built over a crystal spring, they stopped for a drink. Tavia, of course dipped her very nose in the water; and those who did not intend to do likewise did so without intending.
But how beautiful that little strip of woodland road was! No wonder teachers and pupils lingered.
Just at the old water-wheel, every one stopped again. Falling leaves made the spot a painting, and Miss Cummings undertook to explain what the wheel had been, and what its ruins meant.