“But he is your own father,” protested Boxer.
“I don’t care. If all fathers are like him, I don’t think much of fathers,” sputtered Woof-Woof.
Mother Bear came up just in time to hear this. “Tut, tut, tut,” said she. “I won’t have you talking that way about your father. By and by you will know him better and learn to respect him. He is the handsomest Bear I have ever seen, and some day you will be proud that he is your father.”
“I like mothers best,” confided Woof-Woof, snuggling up to Mother Bear. Mother Bear’s face suddenly grew very stern. “I want to know,” said she, “how he happened to find you up that tree.”
“We-we met him and he chased us up that tree,” explained Boxer.
“And how did you happen to meet him?” persisted Mother Bear. “That tree was a long way from where I left you at play and charged you to stay.”
The cubs hung their heads.
“We-we-we found his tracks and followed them,” stammered Boxer in a low voice.
“And got a fright, which was no more than you deserved,” declared Mother Bear. “You ought to be spanked, both of you, for your disobedience. Now you see what comes of not minding. I hope the fright you have had will be a lesson you never will forget. And don’t let me hear you say another word against your father.”
“No’m,” replied the twins meekly.