XVII

BAD BENJAMIN BAT


For a long time Benjamin Bat had had his eye on Freddie Firefly. And
every time the two met, Benjamin stopped to tell Freddie how plump he
was growing.

"You're just about ready to--AHEM!" Benjamin remarked when he came upon
Freddie in Farmer Green's dooryard one fine evening.

"What did you say?" Freddie inquired.

"Never mind!" Benjamin Bat answered. "I was only talking to myself. It's
a habit I have."

"You're a queer one!" Freddie Firefly exclaimed. "But it's no wonder.
People say that you've hung upside down so much that the inside of your
head is all topsy-turvy."

"When he heard that remark Benjamin Bat promptly flew into a rage.

"You'd better be careful!" he warned Freddie. "I don't allow anybody to
talk to me like that."

"Oh! You mustn't mind what I just said," Freddie Firefly replied. "I was