hands were pulling each hair separately. When the ordeal was over,
Bobby heard a faint noise in the grass as if some very small creatures
were scurrying away, but he could see nothing. He was winking his eyes
desperately to keep from crying.

"The assistants may go now," said the professor; and the sound of little
feet died away in the distance.

"How interesting this is!" murmured a plain-looking toad who had been
watching the experiments attentively.

"I think it's mean," protested poor Bobby, "to keep a fellow fastened up
like this, and then torment him."

"Does it hurt as much as being skinned, or having your legs cut off?"
demanded the professor.

"Or should you prefer to be stepped on, or burned up in a rubbish pile?"
asked Mrs. Bufo.

"How should you like to be stoned or kicked, for a change?" said another
toad sharply.

"Perhaps you would choose a fish-hook in the corner of your mouth?" said
a voice from the pond.

"Or one run the entire length of your body?" came a murmur from the
ground under Bobby's head.

"Wait a minute," said the professor, more gently. "We will give you a