Page 165 - Fairbrass

Hedgehog; but it was worth anything
to hear him swear, “ Longing then, we’re

longing now/’ and after that—oh my eyes

and bristles ! but I mustn’t tell you whafc
he said, Fairbrass, for it wasn’t fit talk for

boys. Oh yes, you human beings are
certainly a rum lot. You've got an awkward

job on hand, Fairbrass. I wonder how
you'll worry through it? My opinion is

that your longings are just like those of

other folks, and they’ll only end with the
long, long rest.’

i Confound you ! ’ began Fairbrass.
1 Stop ! ’ interrupted the Hedgehog. ‘ If

you begin like that you’ll get on to all
my poet's bad language, and I shall get

the character of having taught it to you.

I wish you good-day.’
And with this he waddled away.

‘ Fairbrass,' said the taller of the sister
Poplars, softly breaking the silence that

ensued, ‘ we have something to whisper
to you. Your sister and her lover met

here a day or two ago ; they sat lovingly