was not fast after all.

It took them much longer to dress than usual, because they had not
stopped to brush their tails out the night before. Hazel's was
dreadfully matted down and Bushie's was full of burs. How it did hurt
when Hazel, as carefully as could be, helped him pick them out. But he
bravely choked back the tears and blew his nose very hard. He did not
want his new friends to think him a baby, of course.

[Illustration: MOTHER SQUIRREL ENTERTAINS HER VISITORS]

Even their breakfast was different. They had country beetles; nice,
white mushrooms, and crisp, fresh apple seeds. And after they had eaten
and eaten, Mrs. Red Squirrel asked her little guests many
questions--what their names were, where they lived, and how ever did
they get so far from home?

How the two little squirrels' eyes popped out as Bushy-Tail told them of
their home in the park, built for them out of boards and nails. He told
how the caretaker came around every morning with a cup on a long pole
and left a fresh supply of peanuts on their back porch, and he told of
the wonderful dream he had had about a tree where all kinds of nuts grew
side by side on the same branch. "I was so tired of peanuts," he added,
"I set out to find the tree--but somehow--got--lost," and then his voice
became so shaky he couldn't tell any more.

Mother Red Squirrel helped him to another fat beetle and said as soon as
she had her work done she would see what she could do about it. "So
many of the wood folks are moving south for the winter," she said. "I am
sure I can find someone who will be going your way."

Now, Mrs. Screech Owl had seen Mrs. Red Squirrel hurry through the rain
the night before with neither umbrella nor rubbers. So she said to
herself, "This looks very queer. I will wait opposite the squirrel
house, for I must know all."

And presently the entire woods was awakened by Mrs. Screech Owl's shrill
voice calling, "Extra, extra! Mrs. Red Squirrel has city cousins
visiting her." Of course this was not true. But "extras" seldom are
accurate.

Anyway, Mrs. Red Squirrel thought she never would get her work done. You
would not believe me if I should tell you how many times the door bell
rang. First her neighbor on one side dropped in to borrow a pattern.
Then a neighbor on the other side came over to return a book. Then
friends from all over the woods just happened by, and always after a
second or two they would say, "I hear you have company from the