28 



FOUR-HANDED FOLK? 



On this unlucky occasion the principal of the 

 school, who was so nervous as to faint at a spider, 

 and who of course " hated pets," happened to 

 be engaged in some writing, which kept her up 

 after the rest of the household had retired. In 

 that warm climate, the bedrooms all open upon 

 the corridor, and have, for hot nights, slat doors, 

 high enough to keep people out, but not reach- 

 ing the top of the door frame. 



The kinkajou saw a chance of company ; so, 

 calmly and silently, in the stealthy way of his 

 race, he climbed over the slats and surprised 

 the late worker by a leap on to her lap. He 

 was greeted with a wild shriek, which awoke 

 everybody in that part of the house. Then, 

 while his mistress lay waiting in terror for 

 what should happen next, she heard muffled 

 steps without, a sudden movement, and a heavy 

 fall on her floor. She sprang up, got a light, 

 and found her naughty pet, much surprised but 

 not hurt, thanks to the soft cushions of his feet 

 and his cat-like way of falling upon them. His 

 greatly offended enemy had throw him over the 

 slat door ! 



The next day the principal looked rather 

 sober, though she said nothing, and his mistress 

 began to consider what she could do with him 

 to prevent further trouble. But that night, the 

 fourth of his residence with her, he took his fate 



