the little spiky ball.

"The mother is inside the nest with her young ones," said Charley. "They
are about a fortnight old. These hedgehogs are very tame and know me
well. I'll try to get her to come out of the nest."

Charley went to the cabbage bed and found some slugs, which he put on to
a leaf, and called to the hedgehog. She soon made her appearance, and
the little ones with her, so the boys had a good look at the funny
little things.

"I say, Charley, you won't want six hedgehogs," said Tom. "Can't you
spare me a pair, when these little ones have grown bigger?"

"I daresay I can," said Charley, "I suppose your mother wouldn't mind
having them in the garden: they are apt to make little holes in the
paths, but then they eat slugs and insects. They are quiet, too, in the
day time, but get lively towards evening.

"They are useful little creatures, and soon get tame. I have heard of
their being kept in kitchens to eat up the crickets and beetles there,
sleeping all day and awake at night when these creatures are about. They
eat vegetables and soaked bread, and are easy little things to keep."

"I wish I could see one roll itself into a ball," said Jack.

"Oh, that's soon done," said Charley. He took a stick and gently poked
the hedgehog they saw first. "There, see now! he is bending his head,
and drawing his skin over it like a hood, and closing himself up. See
how stiffly his spikes stick out all over the round ball that he is."