A crowd had gathered in front of the teacher’s desk on which was placed the large dictionary, and seated on the book was the boy who winked with his nose.

“Stand back!” he called, “I’m going to let it out, and then you’ll see fun.”

With that he jumped down, removed the dictionary, raised the lid of the desk, and out popped a red squirrel.  Round and round over the floor flew the frightened animal, dodging here and there and wildly darting into corners to evade the books and other missiles that were thrown at it.  Not only the boys took a part in the cruel sport, but some of the girls helped with sticks, sunbonnets, and whatever they could lay their hands on.  Two or three times the little creature was struck.  At last, helpless, it stood panting while one of its tormentors dealt it a blow that killed it.

A cry of protest broke from Alice’s lips, but her voice was lost in the roar of applause that followed the big boy’s action, as he tossed the lifeless squirrel across the room into the face of another boy, who in turn pitched the animal at his neighbor.

“The poor little creature!  How could they abuse it and take its life?” cried Alice, turning to those nearest her.  The other girls shrank back abashed at her reproachful tones, which were noticed by Jim Stubbs, and that hero felt called upon to make a speech.

“Bah! boys, that girl is getting ready to cry over a dead squirrel.  What d’ye think of that?” And a heartless chorus echoed his laughter.

“No, I’m too indignant to cry,” replied Alice with spirit.  “I never knew boys could be so awfully wicked, yes, and girls too.  I should think you would love these dear little creatures, and pet and protect them.  They are what make country life pleasant.  I wouldn’t give a fig for your pretty woods if there were no living things to be seen there.”

This was an aspect of the situation the boys had never before considered.  They did not realize that to a lover of nature the humblest form of animal life is interesting.  Did other people really prize squirrels and frogs and lightning bugs and such things?

Just at this moment the teacher entered, and the crestfallen pupils busied themselves in gathering up the scattered books and other articles used in storming the squirrel.

“My young visitor is quite shocked by such an exhibition of cruelty,” said Miss Harper, when she had learned how matters stood.  “Think what the woods would be without the song of birds and the chirp and hum of insects.  Your playground teems with happy beings that love the warmth and sunlight as well as you do.  Would not the forests be robbed of half their beauty and interest if the squirrels and chipmunks and birds and butterflies were killed off?”

“Wimmen folks are nice ones to talk about cruelty to birds,” sneered the big boy to his neighbor, “when they stick wings and tails and whole birds on their hats and bonnets whenever they can raise a cent to buy ’em with.  Oh, yes, wimmen are awful consistent!  They are, for a fact.”