It bustled back into the hut,
hopping nervously, and jerking its head with excitement. In a moment
it was perched again on the man's shoulder. It carefully kept its
bushy tail out of the way of his nose and eyes. And then it whispered
what it had seen into his left ear."
"Why into his left ear?"
"Because it was the right one, and the other had cotton wool in it."
"Like Aunt Emily!"
"What did it whisper?"
"The squirrel had made a discovery, too," continued the teller,
solemnly.
"Goodness! That's two discoveries!"
"But what _did_ it whisper?"
In the hush that followed, a coal was heard falling softly into the
grate; the night-wind moaned against the outside walls; Judy scraped
her stockinged foot slowly along the iron fender, making a faint
twanging sound. Breathing was distinctly audible. For several moments
the room was still as death. The figure, smothered beneath the clotted
mass of children, heaved a sigh. But no one broke the pause. It was
too precious and wonderful to break at once. All waited breathlessly,
like birds poised in mid-air before they strike ... until a new sound
stole faintly upon the listening silence, a faint and very distant
sound, barely audible as yet, but of unmistakable character.
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