248 A Kindergarten Experiment 



ing away at their food, and apparently contented with 

 the conditions around them. But the moment I 

 attempted to go away they left their food and insisted 

 upon following me. Here was a dilemma. I needed 

 breakfast quite as badly as did my charges, and yet 

 they would not desert me any more than Mrs. 

 Micawber would her worthless spouse. It was, to 

 say the least, perplexing. After a while I managed 

 to escape from them long enough to slip into the 

 dark room to see how the owl was flourishing. It 

 was so dark I could not even see his eyes ; but upon 

 lighting the burner I found him in the same position 

 I had left him in. Apparently he had not stirred ; 

 but there was a look in his eyes I did not like. I 

 knew he had heard the chickens in the adjoining 

 room, and that they had been a sore temptation to 

 him ; but still he had not moved from his place. 

 Surely, I thought, he could not be very bloodthirsty. 

 I returned to the next room, and was received by 

 the chickens with all the joy of lost children. I saw 

 that the canary and bullfinch were well provided with 

 food and water, and then I departed. I may as well 

 confess that I drew a long breath after I reached the 



