MONAliCHS IN EXILE 117 



from 'big game,' as it is called, down to the smallest 

 nuisance animal. You shall all take turns in choos- 

 ing the picture you like, and then I will tell you its 

 story, or, if I do not know it myself, you shall hear Nez, 

 Uncle Jack, or (_)laf for a change. Then when each 

 story is finished, you must find the animal on th'e ladder, 

 and see to what famil}^ and guild he belongs. Is it a 

 bargain ? 



" Dodo may choose to-night, as she is the youngest. 

 I will turn the pictures, for the portfolio is heavy." 



" Did you draw all these pictures ? " Dodo asked, as 

 she took her place by her uncle, hardly knowing what 

 to choose from among so many. 



"No, indeed, the man who drew these kneAV the beast 

 brotherhood as well as we know each other. In fact, 

 they are so true that I think Heart of Nature must have 

 stood beside him and touched his brush and pencil." 



" There is a Gray Squirrel in here," chattered Dodo, 

 " that looks so funny and real, just like the one in our 

 hickory, that I knew it right away. ^Vll these animals 

 seem to be doing something, too, not sitting round 

 looking uncomfoi'table, waiting to have their pictures 

 taken like some beasts in my reader. I can't choose, 

 uncle ; I like them all. Here are three cats' heads 

 with no bodies ; they must have as nice a story as the 

 Cheshire Cat. I think I'll shut my eyes and take the 

 first I touch,'" she said finally, and her choice fell on 

 the Buffalo, or Bison as the Wise Men call it. 



" You could not have chosen better, for from this 

 story you will learn why I value that ' old cow skin ' 

 so much. I think, if we name our stories, they will 

 seem more interesting. Let us call this one ' Monarchs 



