here they are.--How hot you look, Jack!"

"It is so warm to night, aunt, and we have walked fast. We've had a
splendid time of it at Charley Foster's, and we stayed till the last
minute, so we hurried home at last." Where-upon Jack drew out his
pocket-handkerchief to wipe his hot face, forgetting all about the
little frogs. The loose knot slipped, and you may guess what happened.
The frogs, delighted to get out of Jack's warm pocket, were soon hopping
about the room.

"What have you there, Jack? what does this mean?" asked Aunt Lizzie. But
she could not help laughing, for she knew what odd things boys will do.

Jack explained to her how he had caught the young frogs to put into the
Woodside pond, that he might watch them there.

"Well, you must catch them again," said his aunt, "and I will give you a
paper bag to carry them in, only you need not suppose that there are no
frogs in grandpapa's pond. Charley's pond is large and shaded, while the
Woodside pond is small and open; and the weather has been very dry
lately, so the frogs have kept in the soft mud at the bottom. You will
see plenty of young frogs after the next shower of rain hopping about
the edges of that pond."




IX.

_AFTER THE RAIN._