THE BEAR. 
331 
the things you and Annie make; and yet 
they are very pretty notwithstanding.” 
“ Considering,”—added Sidney, mischiev¬ 
ously. 
“Well, well,” said Annie, with some 
little impatience, “I think we may let the 
subject drop. It is certainly a very pretty 
table; and it shows a very proper spirit in 
Jack to make it; and I dare say he will 
grow to be a very good boy in time. I am 
sure I hope so. But I think we have heard 
enough about him for the present. Sup¬ 
pose we begin with our hears, if aunt is 
ready ?” 
Even this somewhat ungracious speech 
gave Bichard pleasure, for he thought it 
showed that Annie was growing rather 
ashamed of her prejudice against Jack. 
He wheeled the work-table into a corner 
which was henceforth to be its place, and, 
setting a chair for his aunt, settled himself 
on an ottoman by Annie’s side and pre¬ 
pared himself to listen. 
“The bears,” said Miss Winston, “may 
be considered as the representative class of 
the plantigrade carnivora. As we have 
not had this term ‘plantigrade’ before, we 
