IN THE GARDEN. z

THERE were two houses in the garden, a big house at the
top of the garden, in which Janie and Janie’s Father and
Mother lived, and a little one at the bottom of the garden,
which belonged to Mrs. Rabbit and her son, Master
Rabbit. Perhaps Janie would have told you that not
only the little house, but the rabbits too, belonged to
her; but Mrs. Rabbit did not think so. She often told
Master Rabbit how she pitied poor Janie and her Father
and Mother. ‘Their house,” she said to her son, “must
be so cold and dreary; it is so big, it cannot be warm
and cosy like ours.” And Master Rabbit, of course,
agreed with her. One day Janie brought a small girl
to see the rabbits. As she took Master Rabbit out of
the’ house she said, “Isn't he pretty, and “isn't thig a
comfortable rabbit-hutch ?” Mrs. Rabbit felt very contented
and happy. Janie’s little visitor stroked Master Rabbit’s
back, and pulled his ears. Then, as she. gave him a
crisp lettuce-leaf, she said to~-Janie, “He is a dear little
rabbit, but his house is a queer place.” Fortunately, Mrs.

Rabbit did not hear her, and perhaps it was a good thing.