"It is too hard work," explained Little Bear. "I
am not big enough to pull weeds in the blackberry
patch."

[Illustration: She found him lying on the ground ]

"Ah-hum! Ah-hum!" repeated Father Bear, who was really
too surprised at first for words. Then he said, "Son
Bear, I ought to spank you and send you out to work, and
that is what I will do if your mother is willing. But--"
Father Bear said "But" in such a loud, loud voice that
Little Bear jumped at the tone. "But little bears who
will not pull weeds in the blackberry patch shall not
eat blackberries." So upstairs went Little Bear,
followed by his mother, who carried a plate of bread and
a brown pitcher full of water from the spring. Mother
Bear said nothing when she left Little Bear upstairs
with the bread and the water, but he did not mind that,
because at first he thought it was all a joke. At dinner
time, when he smelled fish frying he felt hungry. But
his mother did not bring him any fish, and his father
said nothing. So Little Bear ate bread and drank water.

The afternoon lasted a long, long time. Little Bear
was asleep when his mother brought him more bread
and water.

When he awoke, he again smelled fish frying. He
felt hungry, but still his mother did not bring him any