So some cherries and currants were put on the table that stood by Olga’s
couch, and the two little marmozets pounced hastily upon them, even throwing
down Olga’s delicate sponge-cakes in their anxiety to begin on the fruit.

In a minute or two, however, they again uttered their comical little cry of
terror, and, clinging together, they retreated against a pot of geraniums which
stood on the edge of the table.

“T see what's the matter,” cried Olga; “it’sthose wasps! They must have
come in by the window after the fruit. The marmozets are afraid of them;
drive them away, please, mother dear.”

Mrs. Wrangham and the landlady both got up to chase away the intruders,
but the wasps were loth to leave the fruit, and gave a great deal of trouble
before they were finally driven out of the window. Meanwhile, Olga lay back
on her pillows and fairly laughed out loud at all the fuss and bustle!

When the little animals were at last taken down-stairs again Olga asked
her mother for a book on natural history, and Mrs. Wrangham, only too glad
to gratify any wish of her child, at once borrowedone. It was, however, rather
a disappointment, for it said very little about marmozets, merely stating that
they were of the genus Hapale, from the Greek, meaning soft and gentle, and
that they were chiefly found in the forests of Brazil, where they lived on nuts
and fruit, and on fish and eels, which they could catch for themselves, for,
though small, they were very strong and active.

* * % & * * * * *

When, at the end of the month, the little girl was sufficiently recovered to
be able to return home, both little marmozets went with her, for the landlady

declared it would be a shame to separate such friends.
—E. AB,

 

 

 

 

4d