124 FOUR-HANDED FOLK. 



with a roof over it. Under the edge of that 

 roof, where she could have sunshine or shade as 

 she wished, was made Gila's home. 



She soon learned many ways of civilized life, 

 for she was a bright scholar. To eat with a fork 

 required only one lesson, — and that 's more than 

 can be said of our little folks, — and to take 

 her breakfast like a lady, not " gobbling," but 

 drinking her coffee out of a cup, was almost as 

 soon learned. She became very fond of her 

 morning coffee, and was wise enough to know 

 when she might expect it. If the master of the 

 house came into the corridor and took his early 

 coffee, as was his custom, Gila paid no attention 

 to him ; but the moment I appeared and seated 

 myself for the same purpose, she began to cry 

 and scream and tease, till for the sake of peace, 

 she was served first, though I always insisted 

 that she should show us some trick before I gave 

 her the cup. 



She quickly learned what I meant, and when 

 she begged for her breakfast I had only to say, 

 " No, no, Gila ; not till you show us a trick," 

 when she at once stood on her head with her 

 funny heels in the air, or, if we gave her a piece 

 of board, she stood it up on end, climbed to the 

 top, and sat there as long as she could keep her 

 balance, steadying herself by her chain. 



