and bears do. They are very innocent and
playful, both when young, and even after they grow old. The lumberers
often tame them, and they become so docile that they will come at a
call or whistle. Like all wild animals, they are most lively at night,
when they come out to feed and play."
"Dear little things! I should like to have a tame otter to play with, and
run after me; but do you think he would eat my squirrel? You know
cats will eat squirrels--so mamma says."
"Cats belong to a very different class of animals; they are beasts of prey,
formed to spring and bound, and tear with their teeth and claws. The
otter is also a beast of prey, but its prey is found in the still waters, and
not on the land; it can neither climb nor leap. So I do not think he
would hurt your squirrel, if you had one."
"See, nurse, my dear little squirrel is still where I left him, clinging to
the wires of the cage, his bright eyes looking like two black beads."
"As soon as it grows dark he will begin to be more lively, and perhaps
he will eat something, but not while we look at him--he is too shy for
that." "Nurse, how can they see to eat in the dark?"
"The good God, Lady Mary, has so formed their eyes that they can see
best by night. I will read you, Lady Mary, a few verses from Psalm
civ.:--
"'Verse 19. He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his
going down.
"'20. Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beast of the
forest do creep forth. "'21. The young lions roar after their prey, and
seek their meat from God.
"'22. The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together, and lay them
down in their dens.
"'23. Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour, until the evening.
"'24. O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made
them all: the earth is full of thy riches.'
"Thus you see, my dear lady, that our heavenly Father taketh care of all
his creatures, and provideth for them both by day and by night."
"I remember, nurse, that my dormice used to lie quite still, nestled
among the moss and wool in their little dark chamber in the cage, all
day long; but when it was night they used to come out and frisk about,
and run along the wires, and play all sorts of tricks, chasing one another
round and round, and they were not afraid of me, but would let me look
at them while they ate a nut, or a hit of sugar; and the dear little things
would drink out of their little white saucer, and wash their faces and
tails--it was so pretty to see them!"
"Did you notice, Lady Mary, how the dormice held their food?"
"Yes; they sat up, and held it in their fore-paws, which looked just like
tiny hands."
"There are many animals whose fore-feet resemble hands, and these,
generally, convey their food to their mouths--among these are the
squirrel and dormice. They are good climbers and diggers. You see, my
dear young lady, how the merciful Creator has given to all his creatures,
however lowly, the best means of supplying their wants, whether of
food or shelter."
"Indeed, nurse. I have learned a great deal about squirrels, Canadian
rice, otters, and Indians; but, if you please, I must now have a little play
with my doll. Good-bye, Mrs. Frazer; pray take care of my dear little
squirrel, and mind that he does not fly away." And Lady Mary was
soon busily engaged in drawing her wax doll about the nursery in a
little sleigh lined with red squirrel fur robes, and talking to her as all
children like to talk to their dolls, whether they be rich or poor--the
children of peasants, or governors' daughters.
[Illustration: Dolly's Sleigh-Ride]
CHAPTER III
.
LADY MARY READS TO MRS. FRAZER THE FIRST PART OF
THE HISTORY OF THE SQUIRREL FAMILY.
One day Lady Mary came to her nurse, and putting her arms about her
neck, whispered to her,--"Mrs. Frazer, my dear good governess has
given me something--it is in my hand," and she slily held her hand
behind her--"will you guess what it is?"
"Is it a book, my lady?"
"Yes, yes, it is a book, a pretty book; and see, here are pictures of
squirrels in it. Mrs. Frazer, if you like, I will sit down on this cushion
by you and read some of my new book. It does not seem very hard."
Then Mrs. Frazer took out her work-basket and sat down to sew, and
Lady Mary
Continue reading on your phone by scaning this QR Code
Tip: The current page has been bookmarked automatically. If you wish to continue reading later, just open the
Dertz Homepage, and click on the 'continue reading' link at the bottom of the page.