LIONS 7 



day talking with Miss Heliot while some re- 

 pairs were being done to the floor of the 

 stables. Consequently it was necessary for me 

 to pass close to the lions' cages on one side 

 or the other to get into the place at all. Miss 

 Heliot stopped my even attempting to do it 

 as she said they would be sure to catch me 

 with their paws. 



So she stood in front of her favorite lion, 

 with both hands spread her skirts out to their 

 widest extent, and then told me to go by. 

 I did, but that lion noticed it instantly and, 

 like a flash of lightning, tried to get his paw 

 round Miss Heliot 's skirts and catch me. 

 Then she talked to him about it reprovingly 

 and the lion's whole manner altered in the 

 most wonderful manner. When he had leaped 

 up and pushed his paw out through the bars 

 his eyes blazed and his mouth opened a lit- 

 tle, while his whole attitude told of anger 

 and defiance; but, when Miss Heliot talked 

 to him he put his head against the bars, 

 rubbed it against hers, and hung his head 

 afterward in as meek and mild a manner as 



