A LITTLE HOUSE BUILDER 155 
A creeping thing the like o’ thee, 
Not worthy o’ a farewell t’ ye.” 
The airy Ant syne turned awa, 
And left him wi’ a proud gaff a. 
The Caterpillar was struck dumb, 
And never answered her a mum: 
The humble reptile fand some pain, 
Thus to be banter’d wi’ disdain. 
But tent neist time the Ant came by, 
The worm was grown a Butterfly; 
Transparent were his wings and fair, 
Which bare him flight’ring through the air. 
Upon a flower he stapt his flight, 
And thinking on his former slight, 
Thus to the Ant himself addrest: 
66 Pray, Madam, will ye please to rest? 
And notice what I now advise: 
Inferiors ne’er too much despise, 
For fortune may gie sic a turn, 
To raise aboon ye what ye scorn': 
For instance, now I spread my wing 
In air, while you’re a creeping thing.” 
—Allan Ramsay. 
The boys looked at one another a bit shame¬ 
facedly as he finished. “ But, nevertheless, 
Uncle John, the thing is a snail shell,” defended 
Tommy, as a smile went the rounds. 
“ To be sure. Mrs. Helix is the dignified 
name, as I said. On everyday occasions we speak 
of the occupant just as Mrs. Snail. But don’t 
imagine she is not interesting and important, 
Ruthie. Of all the queer little people that go 
plodding through the world on one foot, carrying 
