brother he would take it into his own bed for 

 warmth. 



S "All right," said the younger. " Bags I for 

 to-morrow night then." So it was arranged, 

 and the duckling, nothing loth, was trans- 

 ferred to the bed, crept close up to the boy's 

 body and went to sleep very happily. 

 <8 In the morning the younger boy woke 

 first. " Halloa," he shouted across the room, 

 " let's have the duckling out and play with 

 it." 



%& " Right," said the elder, and he put his 

 hand under the bedclothes. 

 9$ There was a pause. " What's the matter ? " 

 called the younger. " Can't you find it ? " 

 m " Oh, Fred," said the elder, " it's dead, 

 poor little beggar. I must have been lying 

 on it in my sleep. What shall we do about 

 it ? " 



SS There was nothing to be done. The duck- 

 ling had died of mere excess of kindness and 

 affection. 



35 



