looking for food, not clean plates. However, the 

 instant she was outside, she accepted Sullivan's 

 invitation and went round to the door ! And she 

 came for it with a rush ! Both Sullivan and Jason 

 jumped to close the door. They were not quick 

 enough, and instead of one bear there were three ! 

 The entire family had accepted the invitation, and 

 all were trying to come in at once! 



When Sullivan and Jason threw their weight 

 against the door it slammed against the big bear's 

 nose, a very sensitive spot. She gave a savage 

 growl. Apparently she blamed the two other 

 bears either for hurting her nose or for being in 

 the way. At any rate, a row started; halfway in 

 the door the bears began to fight ; for a few sec- 

 onds it seemed as if all the bears would roll in- 

 side. Sullivan and Jason pushed against the door 

 with all their might, trying to close it. During 

 the struggle the bears rolled outside and the door 

 went shut with a bang. The heavy securing 

 cross-bar was quickly put into place ; but not a 

 moment too soon, for an instant later the old 

 bear gave a furious growl and flung herself against 

 the door, making it fairly crack; it seemed as 



221 



