The bear took it rather too greedily for the comfort of the holder, but seemed in nowise inclined to hostile measures.
“Stand up!”
Bruin clumsily erected himself on his haunches, and caught the sugar tossed to him.
Tom was delighted.
“Now put your paws up on my shoulders and get it.” He stood back to the animal and looked at him over his shoulder.
Up came Cinnamon again, though rather sullenly, and reaching both paws around Tom’s neck from behind, clasped them on the boy’s breast.
“There, there!” cried Tom; “that’ll do, old fellow. You’re too heavy for me. Get down!”
A low growl from a shaggy throat within three inches of Tom’s ear, was the only reply.
Tom held up his last lump of sugar, and while his unwelcome comrade-in-arms was crunching it, strove to wriggle himself from the bear’s embrace.
It was of no use. The big, furry necklace only clasped the more tightly, and the menacing growl came again deeper than before.