that kind, you may be sure."

"Well, take my word for it, she has something out of the way in her
head. She's not often very particular to know the meaning of a word;
she's not very keen after knowledge. I'm sure there's something in the
wind."

There was no time for more; for a sudden familiar shriek struck their
ears.

"A snake! oh, a snake! a snake!"

Fred clapped his hand to his pocket, and then ran out-of-doors.

"Now I can finish the pudding," thought aunty; but another still wilder
scream betokened such dire alarm that she threw down her spoon and
followed.

It was Rikli, of course, who was standing half-way down the steps
leading up to the back door, looking down on a pretty little green snake
on the step below, that was wriggling along as fast as possible, trying
to make its escape. Fred was seated quietly on the top step, waiting for
the noise to subside.

"How absurd you are, Rikli," said her aunt gently; "if you are so afraid
of that harmless little creature, why don't you turn round and run
away?"

"It will run after me, and catch me! it is a snake!" cried the child,
jumping up and down.