THE BITER BIT

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 126, 23 November 1935, Page 24

THE BITER BIT

TiE puppies were at morning school when the Great Explorer cams ' along. They were snuffling and splashing in a great saucer of milk. while the teacher sat over them with a patient smile. ' v - r^ "Morning, Warn," saic1 the Explorer. "Morning, children' 'How are Im. sons this morning?" , - •. <• w. >" **" • "Not too well," sighed the teacher. "They're rather stupid, I'm afraid. This is drinking lesson, but they won't learn not to dip their noses in. the dish" , ' , The Explorer glanced, with a pained expression, at the fat bodies wallow. ing in a puddle of spilt milk. - • ' w - "Perhaps they're not really thii-sty," he suggested. "Let them M-iamm-thing else for a bit, while, you and I have a little refreshments .V;"s* The teacher shook her head. 'Bad' for 'discipline,", she'"saTar*ilSfe save once .... And they'll soon get the knack of it. s 4s t V" Just then Spotty overbalanced, and splashed a wave of' milW'WHr the saucer. The Explorer shuddered and looked away.' ' " -wT«' "Well, I expect they're tired of it by now," he said. "Shall 1 teltSfinhem something about exploring? Then they.could come' back torthe:drihkinc , lesson later." - ' •s,v- / • The teacher looked thoughtful. "That's a kind offer,", she murmured. "Your vast experience would be valuable. Children, this kind,gentleman says he will give you an exploring lesson 'as soon as you have finished your milk," • ~ j. ivT,, ,y "Well-er-no, I meant now, before they finish their m'ilk,";-tl»<iE£plorer said hurriedly. He was busy thinking out a plan that would leave him. alone with the milk for just one minute. • •,,«.. . * jv*\.. ; " "But I've told them they must finish it first."' ' , y.-j 'J>, ' "In that case I'm afraid I can't wait." The Explorer was iettingL'texibui. • "I'm expecting a friend along any minute, and.then I shall have to^so" "Oh, that would be a pity," sighed the,teacher.- "Very well, MUdren. leave the milk and listen-to what the gentleman has to tell you. you like me to arrange the class?" ' -_ -™7-T- ■ "We'll all go to the end of the field," the Explorer began, i'antt'then I'll set a trail and they can follow me." . ' ; 7U™ "Very good"..sai*the teacher. "111-sit here and watch you/C'v-' «.; "Don't you think you had better come along too?" he*asked-Wfously "Children are an awful responsibility, and-with your help I coulA'make tht "But you see, I must stay here and guard the. milk. -Anybody might come along and steal it." . ' r '.. ~•:„.• ;>*; - The Explorer gulped. "Surely nobody would steal milk from little'"pud. pies'" he said in a shocked voice. . , "Well, if you honestly think. . . '. Perhaps I had better come along. Now, children, listen carefully to the gentleman." The puppies were marshalled in a row behind some distant bushes, and the Explorer explained how they should sniff the groundvto follow hit trail That was cleverly done, he'told himself as he trotted away. Now they ali had their eyes shut, waiting for him to get a start, and he had time to lay a false trail before he nipped across the field to the saucer of milk. An excited yapping interrupted him. "Hullo, Explorer! Wait for me. I've lots to tell you." ' - - It was Bobbie, a young fox terrier who sometimes went on trails with him. y "See you later," said the Explorer as he raced ahead. "Busy now." "I'll come along, too. Where are you off to? I must .tell you what I found just now." 1 . , "But it's private." The Explorer was glancing uneasily at the bushes v he sped across the field. I'll come a little way then. You'll see it as you pass. All alone in. tht field; nobody guarding it. It's empty now, of course." A new anxiety stabbed the Explorer. "What's empty?" he gasped, slowing down. * ,' "A great dish of milk, I'm telling you. Here it is. You can still taste it though I left it pretty clean, didn't -I?" The Explorer looked at the saucer."You did that?" he growled, bristling. "I'll teach you!" In a spasm of rage he hurled himself at the youngster's throat. There was a wail of distress as the teacher reached the scene. "Stop!" she pleaded.- "Mr. Explorer, you'll get hurt. You're a dear, brave man to try to save ths milk, and I can't allow you to get hurt." A sob choked her. v The Explorer le' go his hold on Bobbie's throat, and looked at her uncomfortably. "Er-I was too late, and . . . Oh, you musn't cry. I'm so sorry " This was a new aspect of the matter. His chest began to swell with pride. "It was all my fault for leaving the milk unguarded, It would have been dreadful if you had come to harm." The teacher smiled at him through her tears. i "Now just rest quietly for a minute while I fetch the children, and then perhaps you'll feel well enough to finish the nice lesson you began." Bobbie was racing up the field towards home. "I'm free," he was singing. ."I can go where I.want to. And if you don't stay and teach the.children I SHALL TELL!"