ke want these for? Did we need food, or
fur, or was it just the natural hunting spirit in most men that made him
do this," said Meredith.

"I feel that way, myself, Mete," added Lavinia. "And I am dreadfully
sorry for those dear little babies. What will we ever do with them?"

"I'm going to keep one," cried Don.

"An' I've decided to keep the other," added Dot.

"And remain in Canada after we go home, eh?" laughed Mr. Starr.

"Why, no, we'll take them with us," said Don.

"Not with my consent. Pay double fares from Winnipeg to New York, then
have everything in Oakwood torn to pieces, including the family, when
the bears grow larger."

"Oh, we'll only keep them while they are cute like puppy dogs, then
we'll send them to the menagerie," replied Don.

"Better turn them loose in the woods," said Cookee.

"Why, no, now that we have had all the trouble of getting them, and they
are orphans, they will never know any other home than a cage, so I agree
with the children--let us keep them while we remain and they will play
like puppies, then ship them to the city to be trained," said Mrs.
Starr.

As her word was generally obeyed, the matter was considered settled, and
the cubs remained where they were for a time.

In a few days, the cubs opened their tiny twinkling eyes, and soon were
able to roll around. At first they tried to stand, but their fat little
legs would not hold them up, and they rolled on the floor like balls of
fur. Many a shout of glee rang out from the dining-room when the cubs
tried to exercise. But in a week's time they could jump and run after
the twins if they teased them.

A long, hard spell of cold weather followed the bear-fight, and the
children had to play indoors every afternoon for some time, but they
preferred it on account of their new play-fellows.

The little bears grew strong and mischievous, and many a bout they had
with Don and Dot, the latter generally having to climb upon the table to
get away from them.

Mike took especial pride in keeping them clean and chubby, and the two
bears followed him as if he was a natural protector. He never teased
them and said little, but they knew that he was their foster-mother.

The first week in March, the cold broke up and the thaw began slowly but
surely to melt away the deep snows which fell in February, and ice
started to soften and crack.

The men realized that most of their season's work was completed and were
happy to find that they