ON THE PLAINS 269 



nuisance animals ? " asked Rap, getting up reluctantly, 

 for he Avas obliged to go home early that night. 



" Yes, paint and shaving brushes are made from their 

 stiffer tail-hairs, and their pelts have a small value in 

 the fur market." 



'' Tve finished my last button," said Nat, jumping 

 up as Rap closed the door ; " but my fingers are all 

 cramped." 



''I should think they would be," said Olive, "sit- 

 ting all in a heap and pushing the needle with your 

 thumb. The buttons look very nicely, though, don't 

 they, father?" 



" Yes, and you see they all have nice little necks, and 

 the button-holes do not make faces when they swallow 

 them," added Nat, proudly. 



" The last present is finished — now comes Christmas 

 and the tree ! " cried Dodo, clapping her hands. " May 

 we open our bank and see if we have enough money to 

 buy the bird book for Rap ? You said we might Avhen 

 the sewing was all done. Yes ; here it is, I hid it in 

 tlie wolf skin to have it all ready. Oh, Avhat a lot of 

 pennies, and a gold dollar ! Who put that in, I wonder ? 

 It was you, daddy, I can tell by the way the end of 

 your nose winks ! Do count for me, Olive, the pennies 

 slip so ! " 



" Four dollars and fifty cents," said Olive, after 

 counting twice over. 



" Hurrah I " shouted Nat, " the book Rap wishes only 

 costs three dollars and fifty cents, so Ave can buy him a 

 big box of real city candy too ! " 



