themlittlethingsasnearasIcouldthewayIfoundthem，sothatthebearwouldnotsuspicionme。ForIwasaimingtogether。AndMissPeck，shesurewantedthehideforherbirthday。SoIwentback。Theshe-bearwasoff，andIcrumbupinsidetherock，andIwaitedaturrublelongspelltillthesuntravelledcleanaroundthecanyon。Mrs。Bearcomehomethough，abigcinnamon；andIraisedmygun，butlaiditdowntoseewhatshe’ddo。Shescrapesaroundandsnuffs，andthecubsstartwhining，andshetalksbackto’em。Nextshesitsupawfulbig，andliftsupacubandholdsittoherclosewithbothherpaws，sameasaperson。Andsherubbedherearaginthecub，andthecubsorto’nippedher，andshecuffedthecub，andtheothercubcametoddlin’，andawaytheystartsrollingallthreeof’em!Iwatchedthatforalongwhile。Thatbigthingjustnursedandplayedwiththemlittlecubs，beatin’emforachangeoncedinawhile，andtalkin’，andoncedinawhileshe’dsitupsolemnandlookallaroundsolife-likethatInearbusted。Why，howwasIgoin’
tospoilthat？SoIcomeaway，veryquiet，youbet!forI’dhavehatedtohaveMrs。Bearnoticeme。MissPeck，shelaughed。SheclaimedIwasscaredtoshoot。“
“Afteryouhadtoldherwhyitwas？“saidI。
“Beforeandafter。Ididn’ttellherfirst，becauseIfeltkindoffoolish。ThenTommywentandhekilledthebearallright，andshehastheskinnow。Ofcoursetheboysjoshedmeaheapaboutgettin’beatbyTommy。“
“Butsinceshehastakenyou？“saidI。