Vv HARRY’S DREAM. 269

 

the game, and was much rejoiced when May threw
down her mallet and exclaimed, ‘ How hot this makes
one! Let us leave off now, and have five o’clock tea !’

As nobody raised any objection to this proposal,
they all left the croquet ground and went back to the
house, which they entered by the drawing-room win-
dow, and the little brown gentleman rang the bell
forthwith. Presently afterwards a scuffling noise was
heard, and in another moment the door opened, and,
to Harry’s great astonishment, in walked a squirrel.
He was dressed in green livery, trimmed with white,
fitting close to his skin and very neatly made, and his
head was powdered like that of a regular footman in
those establishments in which that practice is still con-
tinued. But, for all that, he was nothing more nor
less than a squirrel, as was abundantly proved by his
head, ears, and restless little eyes, to say nothing of
his bushy tail, which he carried with great dignity as
he entered the room on his hind legs.

‘Bring tea under the arbutus!’ said the little old
gentleman ; upon which the other bowed and withdrew.
The party then again went into the shubbery, and sat
down under a beautiful arbutus which spread its shade
around in an agreeable manner, and under which were
several garden chairs conveniently placed. Ina few
minutes the squirrel, with three others of his kind
similarly dressed, came hurrying out of the house with
the tea which had been ordered. They carried with
them a table of circular form, and of size sufficient to
contain a silver tray which they placed upon it, and
established it opposite the young lady. Upon the tray
were a small silver tea-pot, and three cups and saucers,