of us should be
exercised? If people neglect kindness, that fine feeling will die."

"Hear, hear," said Robin, "you have spoken well."

"Mind, master Robin," answered Bruin earnestly, "I am not hinting
anything against your class, for the friskies need head treatment, and
I am sure you show them in your own life how to be kind; but they will
be all the better of doing as well as seeing, and so I have humbly
suggested a class for the exercise of the faculty of kindness."

"Thank you, Hug-grippy, the idea is capital. I will raise such a class
very soon, and put my best arithmetic-pupils into it by way of reward."

"Yes," replied Bruin, "the cleverest often need it most, to restore the
proper balance between head and heart; and put Chattie in it," he added
with a funny smile, as he lay down on the grass with his nose between
his toes.

"And Hug-grippy too," cried Chattie.

"Oh no," said the bear, "I am trained."

"But you require to keep up your education, Mr. Bruin."

"True, very true," replied Hug-grippy quietly, "but too much exercise
is bad, and I need an occasional rest. Besides, my dear, the class
must have someone to work upon, someone to whom to be kind." Putting
one of his great paws over his eyes he looked through his claws at
Robin, and with a modest but humorous smile added--

"And if I might venture to speak of myself, I may mention that I am not
unfavorable to honey."

"Oh you cunning rascal," cried the parrot.

"Hush," said the white pony, putting back her ears, "hush, hush."

And Robin laughed.

CHAPTER V.

THE ADVICE OF THE SUBTLE SNAKE.

Two weeks passed, the class had worked hard, and even Black Ribbon had
pulled up wonderfully, but Silver Ribbon had the highest number of
marks. The time for prize-giving, however, had not come, but the
pupils were to get a rest for two or three days before going through a
special examination, which would last half a day. When this was over
the prizes would be given, and then there would be the glorious
holidays, with excursions far into the forest.

Meantime Silver Ribbon got the preliminary silver medal attached to her
neck. The other pupils crowded around her, congratulated her, and
kissed her. Black Ribbon took her hand in his, and in a simple boyish
way promised her a nut. Then they all carried her home shoulder high,
singing and dancing merrily. Her mother, a kind, thin, old squirrel,
with soft, black, melting eyes, was quite exci