"For the land o' pity!" cried Aunt Squeaky. "Betsey Graymouse, here is
Buster with his paws full of poison ivy!"

"Trot out and throw that stuff away at once," commanded Uncle Squeaky.
"Only last evening we told you not to touch poison ivy."

"Simon Skunk said that it was poison, but I thought he meant to scare us.
I've seen Ruth Giant pick these pretty leaves on her piazza," whimpered
Buster.

"The poor kiddie didn't understand, Hezekiah," smiled Mother Graymouse.
"Hold up your paw and count the fingers. How many are there, Buster?"

"One, two, three, four, five," counted Buster.

"Yes, and the leaves on Ruth Giant's vine have five fingers. These wild
leaves have only three fingers and you must never touch them. You see
these berries are waxy white and the berries on Mr. Giant's woodbine were
purple. Remember, Buster, unless the leaves have five fingers like your
paws, they are poison ivy. Now trot along with Hopsy and Webbie over to
Wild Rose Cottage. Tell Grand-daddy all about it and ask him to fix you
up."

Dr. Whiskers washed the three scared little patients in salt water.

[Illustration: Sure enough, next morning poor Buster could hardly see out
of his eyes.]

"I am afraid you will be some puffed-up youngsters in the morning," he