iled
away from the tree, saying, "Good bye, Brush! what d'ye think of that,
eh?"

But the squirrel did not return the farewell, for when he saw the very
ridiculous manner in which his friend shuffled along, while he
performed the feat which he called _running_, he was seized with such a
fit of laughter that he could make no reply, and he was even obliged to
hold fast, lest he should fall off the branch. When he had recovered
from his merriment, he began to talk to himself, in an unusually grave
and moralizing strain.

"Well, Mr. Leatherwing," said he, "you are an odd fellow, a very odd
little fellow indeed! But I have learned something from you this
evening, besides the information you gave me about those rats. I have
learned that every animal has a different part to perform in the world,
and that we all should be content with our situations, and not attempt
to do things for which we were never intended. Now I suppose nobody
will deny that I can run and leap famously, so that I am quite at home
among the boughs of this beautiful oak; but I cannot fly at all, and I
believe I should be a very poor swimmer. Then there is my neighbour,
the water-rat, who can both dive and swim like a fish, but he can no
more fly than myself, and I am sure he cannot leap half so well. As for
old Leatherwing, the _air_ is for him, and most delightful it must be
to fly and sail about as he does. But then he must be content with
_flying only_, for I think he would be much worse off in the water than
I should, and when he attempts to run or to leap--Ha! ha! what fun! I
must go and tell Mrs. Brush all about that."

CHAPTER V.

The important event upon which Leatherwing had been in such haste to
congratulate his friend, really took place in two days after the
conversation just related. In other words, the joys and cares of our
squirrels were increased by the presence of four young ones, as fine
healthy little creatures as their hearts could desire. And I am sure
that more attentive and affectionate parents than Brush and his
companion could not be found, even among the human race. For many days
they made a point of never leaving the nest at the same time, for fear
their tender family should suffer for want of their parents' warmth and
protection. And though Brush was naturally such a playful rattling
fellow, you might have observed some difference in his behaviour, since
he became the father of four helpless children. I mean, that he