I wonder if either they or Diggory know that they belong to the order of
_Fratelli della Misericordia_, and that I belong to it too?

But of course it would not be right to ask them, even if either of them
would answer me, for if we were "known, even to each other," we should
not really and truly be Brothers of Pity.

NOTE--Burying beetles are to the full as skilful as they
are described in this tale. With a due respect for the graces of
art, I have not embodied the fact that they feed on the carcases
which they bury. The last thing that the burying beetle does, after
tidying the grave, is to make a small hole and go down himself,
having previously buried his partner with their prey. Here the eggs
are laid, and the larvæ hatched and fed.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote A: _Necrophorus humator_, &c.]



FATHER HEDGEHOG AND HIS NEIGHBOURS.


* * * * *