and as still as could be, and Aunt Esther sat just like a statue for
fear of disturbing them. They looked all around in high glee, and
when they came to the basket it seemed to them a wonderful little
summer-house, made on purpose for them to play in. They nosed about
in it, and turned over the scissors and the needle-book, and took a
nibble at her white wax, and jostled the spools, meanwhile stowing
away the corn on each side of their little chops, till they both of
them looked as if they had the mumps.

At last Aunt Esther put out her hand to touch them, when, whisk-
frisk, out they went, and up the trees, chattering and laughing
before she had time even to wink.

But after this they used to come in every day, and when she put corn
in her hand and held it very still they would eat out of it; and
finally they would get into her hand, until one day she gently closed
it over them, and Frisky and Tit-bit were fairly caught.

Oh, how their hearts beat! but the good fairy only spoke gently to
them, and soon unclosed her hand and let them go again. So day after
day they grew to have more and more faith in her, till they would
climb into her work-basket, sit on her shoulder, or nestle away in
her lap as she sat sewing. They made also long exploring voyages all
over the house, up and through all the chambers, till finally, I
grieve to say, poor Frisky came to an untimely end by being drowned
in the water-tank at the top of the house.

The dear good fairy passed away from the house in time, and went to a
land where the flowers never fade and the birds never die; but the
squirrels still continue to make the place a favourite resort.