I was afraid he would think I was impolite, and no matter how abrupt he was with me, I as entertainer should be courteous to him. So I said, “The greatest treat comes last. I’ve noticed you from the window several times, and I have been sorry to see your worried look, and I felt we should become acquainted, so I saved you a nice lot of hemp seed.”
“You saved seeds for me,” he exclaimed.
“Certainly, why not?”
“Why, I never had anyone do that for me before,” he said, “except my parents.”
“I do it to please myself,” I said. “If I could tell you how I love to see all birds safe and happy and with their crops sticking out.”
“Your talk has a good sound,” he said gravely. “I wish Squirrie could hear you.
He says, ‘Birds, if my tummy is full and comfy, I don’t care if yours is shrunk all to wrinkles.’”
“Ha! ha! ha!” cried a wicked little voice, and I nearly fell head foremost out of the hole in the wall. As Chummy and I talked, we had gradually edged forward to his front door, and looking up we saw that impudent red squirrel hanging over the roof edge, listening to us.
Chummy was so angry, that he made a wild dart up to the roof, and gave a savage peck at Squirrie’s eyes. Of no use, the little rogue had scampered in again.
Chummy and I flew to the top of the front porch, and sat breathing hard and fast.