refused to eat, and died of grief at his absence. Kindness will tame even
fierce beasts, who soon learn to love the hand that feeds them. Bears and
foxes have often been kept tame in this country, and eagles and owls; but
I think they cannot be so happy shut up, away from their natural
companions and habits, as if they were free to go and come at their own
will."

"I should not like to be shut up, nurse, far away from my own dear home,"
said the little girl, thoughtfully. "I think, sometimes, I ought not to
keep my dear squirrel in a cage--shall I let him go?"

"My dear, he has now been so used to the cage, and to have all his daily
wants supplied, that I am sure he would suffer from cold and hunger at
this season of the year if he were left to provide for himself, and if he
remained here the cats and weasels might kill him."

"I will keep him safe from harm, then, till the warm weather comes again;
and then, nurse, we will take him to the mountain, and let him go, if he
likes to be free, among the trees and bushes."

It was now the middle of October; the rainy season that usually comes in
the end of September and beginning of October in Canada was over. The soft
hazy season, called Indian summer, was come again; the few forest leaves
that yet lingered were ready to fall--bright and beautiful they still
looked, but Lady Mary missed the flowers.

"I do not love the fall--I see no flowers now, except those in the
greenhouse. The cold, cold winter will soon be here again," she added
sadly.