64 THE SQUIRRELS THAT LIVE IN A HOUSE. 



They looked all around in high glee, and when they came 

 to the basket it seemed to them a wonderful little summer- 

 house, made on purpose for them to play in. They nosed 

 about in it, and turned over the scissors and the needle- 

 book, and took a nibble at her white wax, and jostled the 

 spools, meanwhile stowing away the corn each side of their 

 little chops, till they both of them looked as if they had 

 the mumps. 



At last Aunt Esther put out her hand to touch them, 

 when, whisk-frisk, out they went, and up the trees, chat- 

 tering and laughing before she had time even to wink. 



But after this they used to come in every day, and when 

 she put corn in her hand and held it very still they would 

 eat out of it ; and, finally, they would get into her hand, 

 until one day she gently closed it over them, and Frisky 

 and Tit-bit were fairly caught. 



O, how their hearts beat ! but the good fairy only spoke 

 gently to them, and soon unclosed her hand and let them 

 go again. So, day after day, they grew to have more and 

 more faith in her, till they would climb into her work-basket, 

 sit on her shoulder, or nestle away in her lap as she sat 

 sewing. They made also long exploring voyages all over the 

 house, up and through all the chambers, till finally, I grieve 

 to say, poor Frisky came to an untimely end by being 

 drowned in the water-tank at the top of the house. 



The dear good fairy passed away from the house in time, 



