“Hello down there! who is nibbling at my tree?”
“Oh, excuse me,” said Flop Ear, “I did not know this was your tree. Who are you, if you please?”
“I am Slicko, the jumping squirrel,” was the answer. “Can you see me up in my nest?”
Flop Ear looked up, and saw a little gray animal with a big, bushy tail. In her paws Slicko held a nut which she was eating.
“Oh, [have you a nest up there?” asked Flop Ear].
“Yes, this is my home.”
“Then you must be a bird if you live in a nest,” remarked the rabbit.
“Well, yes, in that way, maybe I am,” laughed Slicko. “But we squirrels only live in nests in trees in Summer. In the Winter we burrow under the ground as you rabbits do, Flop Ear.”
“So you also know my name; do you?” asked Flop Ear.
“Oh, yes. And I am glad to see you. I was wondering who was down there, gnawing at my tree.”