“Whistle when you have any for me!” Solomon Owl replied.

And at that they started out for their night’s sport. It was not long
before Simon Screecher’s well known whistle brought Solomon hurrying to
him. Simon already had three mice, one of which he gave to Solomon,
according to their agreement.

That same thing happened several times; until at last Simon Screecher
began to grumble.

“What’s the matter?” he asked his cousin. “You are not hooting, as you
promised you would.”

“But I haven’t caught any mice yet!” Solomon Owl replied.

[_Illustration 3_]

“It’s All Right,” Said Solomon


Again and again and again Simon’s call summoned Solomon. But not once did
Solomon’s summon Simon. And all the time Simon Screecher grew more
discontented. Toward the end of the night he declared flatly that he
wasn’t going to hunt any more with his cousin.

“I’ve done exactly as I agreed!” Solomon Owl protested.

“You’re altogether too slow and clumsy,” Simon Screecher told him bluntly.
“If I’m going to hunt with anybody after this I’m going to choose someone