218 TENANTS OF AN OLD FARM. 



used to be cited as an example of the wonderful in- 

 dustry and skill of the spider that she could nianufac- 

 turc so vast a quantity of these objects in so short a 

 time. In point of fact, however, I believe that the 

 beads form themselves in a ver}- ordinary way. As 

 they issue from the tubes they gather naturally into 

 minute drops ; the effect, perhaps, l)eing aided l)y the 

 twisting of the threads in the quick-moving fingers of 

 the spinster. However that may be they are truly 

 Arachne's pearls, even though like some of those worn 

 by her sisters of the human species (if rumor speak not 

 falsely) they are only made of paste. But I have ex- 

 hausted my subject, even if I have not my class, and 

 will say good night to our cunning little builder and her 

 work." 



" Was it a geometric spider ?" asked Abby, '^Avhose 

 perseverance, according to the tradition, had such an 

 influence upon the Scottish monarch Bruce V The 

 story recently occurred in a reading-lesson of one of 

 my classes, and I wondered at the time Avhat kind of 

 spider had the honor to teach royalty such a royal 

 lesson." 



" I cannot promise to answer your question accur- 

 ately ; but, at all events, let us hear the story. It is 

 long since I heard it, and we all will be interested in 

 the teUing." 



" The narrative runs somewhat in this wise : While 

 wandering on the wild hills of Carrick, in order to 

 escape the emissaries of Edward, Robert Bruce on one 

 occasion passed the night under the shelter of a jioor. 



