only talking to myself--AHEM AHEM!"

But strange to say, Freddie's answer failed to please Benjamin.

"Your remark was very disagreeable, anyhow," he declared.

"Well--so was yours," Freddie retorted stoutly.

"How can you say that?" Benjamin Bat inquired with a sly look. "I didn't
finish it, did I?"

"No!" replied Freddie. "But you can't fool me. I know what you meant, as
well as you do."

And straightway Benjamin Bat looked most uncomfortable, because he had
been thinking that Freddie Firefly HAD BECOME PLUMP ENOUGH TO EAT.

Indeed, there was only one thing that kept Benjamin from devouring
Freddie Firefly right then and there. And that was Freddie's flashing
light. Yes! Benjamin Bat was afraid that if he touched Freddie Firefly
he would get burned.

Once a forest fire broke out while Benjamin was asleep in the woods. And
he didn't wake up until the tree in which he was hanging by his heels
had begun to blaze. Luckily he escaped with his life. But the flames
singed the tips of his wings and gave him such a fright that ever
afterward he feared a fire or a light of any kind. And now he did wish
that Freddie Firefly would put out his light, just for a short time. So
he said, after a few moments: