delve in that way."

The fact was that Featherhead had lately been forming alliances such
as no reputable squirrel should even think of. He had more than once
been seen going out evenings with the Rats of Rat Hollow,--a race
whose reputation for honesty was more than doubtful. The fact was,
further, that old Longtooth Rat, an old sharper and money-lender, had
long had his eye on Featherhead as just about silly enough for their
purposes,--engaging him in what he called a speculation, but which
was neither more nor less than downright stealing.

Near by the chestnut-tree where Nutcracker Lodge was situated was a
large barn filled with corn and grain, besides many bushels of hazel-
nuts, chestnuts, and walnuts. Now old Longtooth proposed to young
Featherhead that he should nibble a passage into this loft, and there
establish himself in the commission business, passing the nuts and
corn to him as he wanted them. Old Longtooth knew what he was about
in the proposal, for he had heard talk of a brisk Scotch terrier that
was about to be bought to keep the rats from the grain; but you may
be sure he kept his knowledge to himself, so that Featherhead was
none the wiser for it.

"The nonsense of fellows like Tip Chipmunk!" said Featherhead to his
admiring brothers and sisters--"the perfectly stupid nonsense! There
he goes, delving and poking, picking up a nut here and a grain there,
when _I_ step into property at once."

"But I hope, my son, you are careful to be honest in your dealings,"
said old Nutcracker, who was a very moral squirrel.