It was familiar enough to all of
them, yet marvellous. It presented itself in a new, original light.
They watched it spellbound; its tiny legs moved carefully over the
wrinkles of the soldier's skin, feeling its way most delicately, and
turning its head this way and that to sniff the unaccustomed odour.
Sometimes it looked back to admire its own painted back, and to let
its distant tail know that all was going well. The coloured hairs upon
the graceful body were all a-quiver. It fairly shone. There was
obviously no fear in it; it had perfect control of all its length and
legs. Yet, fully aware that it was exploring a new country, it
sometimes raised its head in a hesitating way and looked questioningly
about it and even into the great faces so close against its eyes.
"A caterpillar! A common Woolly Bear!" observed Tim, yet with a touch
of awe.
"It tickles," observed Stumper.
"I'll get a leaf," Judy whispered. "It doesn't understand your smell,
probly." She turned and picked the biggest she could find, and the
caterpillar, after careful observation, moved forward on to it,
turning to inform its following tail that all was safe.
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