nfined to his sofa,
Stuyvesant and Malleville had been playing with him for some time. At
last Stuyvesant and Malleville concluded to go out into the yard a
little while, and they left Phonny with a book to read.
"I am sorry to leave you alone," said Stuyvesant.
"Oh, no matter," said Phonny, "I can read. But there is one thing I
should like."
"What is that?" said Stuyvesant.
"I should like to see Frink. I suppose it would not do to bring him in
here. Would it, mother?"
Mrs. Henry was sitting at her window at this time sewing.
"Why, I don't know," said Mrs. Henry. "How can you bring him in?" she
asked.
"Oh, I can put his house upon a board," said Stuyvesant, "and put him
into it, and then bring house and all."
"Well," said Mrs. Henry, "I have no objection. Only get a smooth and
clean board."
So Stuyvesant went out to the shop to get the squirrel. He found him
perched upon the handle of the hand-saw, which was hanging against the
wall.
"Come, Frink, come with me," said Stuyvesant. So he extended his hand
and took Frink down.
"Ah!" said he, "I have not got your house ready yet. So you will
please to go down into my pocket until I am ready."
So saying, Stuyvesant slipped the squirrel into his jacket-pocket,
leaving his head and the tip of his tail out. The squirrel being
accustomed to such operations, remained perfectly still. Stuyvesant
then found a board a little larger than the bottom of the squirrel's
house, and putting this board upon the bench, he placed the house upon
it. He then took Frink out of his pocket and slipped him into the
door. He next put a block before the door to keep the squirrel from
coming out, and then taking up the board by the two ends he carried it
out of the shop.
He walked along the yard with it until he came to the piazza, and then
went in at Mrs. Henry's window, which was open. As soon as he had gone
in, Mrs. Henry shut her window, and Malleville shut the doors.
Stuyvesant then put the house down upon a chair, and took the block
away from the door to let the squirrel come out.
Frink seemed at first greatly astonished to find himself in a parlor.
The first thing that he did was to run up to the top of a tall clock
which stood in the corner, and perching himself upon a knob there, he
began to gaze around the room.
[Illustration: FRINK IN THE PARLOR.]
Phonny was very much amused at this. Stuyvesant and Malleville were
very much amused, too. They postponed t
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