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 should n’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, 
“T 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- 
