122 WILD BROTHER 



the home of our friend for his visit, for Bessie did 

 not fear the bear, and knew that, if he were al- 

 lowed to have his own way, there would be no 

 trouble. Bruno did not want to leave that kitchen, 

 so there he was allowed to stay until my return. 

 Then, with my pocket filled with figs and with the 

 long strap attached to his collar, I coaxed and led 

 him back to his cage. 



Not long after that incident Mrs. Underwood 

 was quite astonished when little Alice came run- 

 ning up to her exclaiming, "O Aunty, I have just 

 licked the bear!" 



"No, Alice, you shouldn't say 'licked'; you 

 should say * whipped.' That was a very naughty 

 thing for you to do," Comrade admonished her. 



"No, I did n't whip him, Aunty," Alice replied, 

 "I licked him. I had my face against the cage, 

 and he reached up and licked my cheek with his 

 tongue, and then I licked the side of his nose with, 

 my tongue." 



Comrade was horrified. How easy it would have 

 been for Bruno to have bitten off the end of that 

 tongue ! What a delicate morsel it would have 

 made for him ! I shuddered to think what might 

 have happened, and I also began to realize the 

 possibility of some future accident. In spite of his 

 unusual bringing up, my pet was a bear, inheriting 

 all the traits and characteristics of his wild ances- 



