So the next day Fleecy had a long ride in the train.

[Illustration]

I don’t think he liked it very well, but he didn’t say a word.

When Mary took him out of the box he was glad to run about in the yard.

He soon became used to his new home.

He liked to play with the children.

They often played hide and seek.

When they hid behind the trees he could always find them.

THE LAMB AT SCHOOL

One morning Fleecy could not find Mary.

He looked everywhere for her.

She was not in the yard, and she was not in the barn.

He went to the gate, and looked down the street, but he could not see her.

Then he went to the back door, and called, “Baa-a, Baa-a!” but she did not come.

Where could she be?

After a long time she came running into the yard.

Fleecy trotted up to her.

“Baa-a, Baa-a!” he said; which meant, I think, “Where have you been, Mary?”

“I have been to school,” said Mary.

You see she knew what he meant.

“To school,” thought Fleecy.  “I wonder what that is.”

Everyday Mary went away and left him.

Did I say every day?

Once in a while she stayed at home.

Then Mary and the lamb played together in the yard.

“Now,” thought Fleecy, “she is going to stay at home with me.”

But no, on Monday Mary went away again.

At last Fleecy could bear it no longer.

“I must go to school, too,” he said.

“I must see what Mary does all day.

“If she goes to school to play games, I can play with her.”

The next day Fleecy watched Mary go through the gate.

Then he followed her very quietly.

Mary ran along with the other little girls and boys.

They were playing tag and they did not see Fleecy.

Soon he heard a bell ring.

Then how the children ran!

They all ran into a little house and shut the door.

“Oh!” thought Fleecy, “What shall I do?  I can never open that door.”

Just then he saw a little boy running very fast.

The boy ran up to the same little house.

He opened the door and went in, but he did not shut it.

Fleecy climbed up the steps.

He put his head in at the door and looked around.

He could see no one, so he walked in.

There was another door, and that was open, too.

Fleecy stood still and listened.

The children were singing as if they were very happy.

Then he put his head against the door and pushed it wide open.

What a room-full of children he saw!

And they were all sitting very still, and not playing at all.

“I don’t think I shall like school,” thought Fleecy.