wildly darting
into corners to evade the books and other missiles that were thrown at
it. Not only the boys took a part in the cruel sport, but some of the
girls helped with sticks, sunbonnets, and whatever they could lay their
hands on. Two or three times the little creature was struck. At last,
helpless, it stood panting while one of its tormentors dealt it a blow
that killed it.

A cry of protest broke from Alice's lips, but her voice was lost in the
roar of applause that followed the big boy's action, as he tossed the
lifeless squirrel across the room into the face of another boy, who in
turn pitched the animal at his neighbor.

"The poor little creature! How could they abuse it and take its life?"
cried Alice, turning to those nearest her. The other girls shrank back
abashed at her reproachful tones, which were noticed by Jim Stubbs, and
that hero felt called upon to make a speech.

"Bah! boys, that girl is getting ready to cry over a dead squirrel.
What d'ye think of that?" And a heartless chorus echoed his laughter.

"No, I'm too indignant to cry," replied Alice with spirit. "I never
knew boys could be so awfully wicked, yes, and girls too. I should
think you would love these dear little creatures, and pet and protect
them. They are what make country life pleasant. I wouldn't give a fig
for your pretty woods if there were no living things to be seen there."

This was an aspect of the situation the boys had never before
considered. They did not realize that to a lover of nature the
humblest form of animal life is interesting. Did other people really
prize squirrels and frogs and lightning bugs and such things?

Just at this moment the teacher entered, and the crestfallen pupils
busied themselves in gathering up the scattered books and other
articles used in storming the squirrel.

"My young visitor is quite shocked by such an exhibition of cruelty,"
said Miss Harper, when she had learned how matters stood. "Think what
the woods would be without the song of birds and the chirp and hum of
insects. Your playground teems with happy beings that love the warmth
and sunlight as well as you do. Would not the forests be robbed of
half their beauty and interest if the squirrels and chipmunks and birds
and butterflies were killed off?"

"Wimmen folks are nice ones to talk about cruelty to birds," sneered
the big boy to his neighbor, "when they stick wings and tails and whole
birds on their hats and b