Toby was leaning forward and gazing absorbedly at the horn, seeking enlightenment on the care of Antonio. Betty, her eyes dancing, was looking questioningly at Peaches’ impassive countenance. After a brief moment a deeper voice came to them, somewhat muffled but very distinct. Toby’s intent frown indicated almost painful effort. “Ladies and gentlemen,” began the unseen lecturer, “I shall speak to you this evening, very briefly, on the subject of ‘The Care and Feeding of Batrachians.’ Batrachians, as most of you know, are frogs, toads, snakes, and similar insects of a zoöphagous nature.” “What’s he mean――‘insects’?” demanded Toby, in a hoarse and protesting whisper. Peaches said, “S-sh!” and frowned him into silence. The voice of the professor possessed quite a different tone than those who had preceded him. It was no clearer, but it gave the impression of coming from a point much nearer than Onondaga, New York. The professor did not seem used to public addresses, either, for he hesitated frequently and frequently repeated himself. “The domestication of the frog is a simple matter and is becoming more and more popular. Indeed, it would seem that the day is not far distant when every family will have its pet frog or toad. The frog is capable of being trained into a useful household member. It is affectionate and faithful, responding readily to kind treatment. Efforts now being made by the American Frog Fanciers’ Association to produce a breed of very large frogs to take the place of watch-dogs promise to be successful. The deep-bass challenge of a watch-frog will, I think, strike terror to the heart of any midnight marauder.” Toby’s face was a study now. He turned puzzled, searching glances on the other members of the audience, but nowhere could he discern anything save ready acceptance of the professor’s surprising statements. Perhaps Mr. Benjy looked a trifle startled, but certainly not incredulous. Mrs. Anderson beamed contentedly, Mrs. Lyle listened with flattering attention, and Betty, with lowered head, seemed completely absorbed in the subject. Peaches and Zo wore expressions of polite interest and Mill――well, Toby couldn’t see Mill’s face, as the latter was increasingly busy with the instrument. “The feeding of the frog while in captivity,” continued the professor, “is a matter of great moment and one little understood by the amateur frog-owner. Experiments conducted by the Onondaga University Experimental Station, under my direction, have recently thrown much light on this subject. While the frog in his natural environment is a carnivorous mammal, once placed in captivity he soon becomes herbivorous, thriving on a vegetable diet. With a little training the domesticated frog will, in fact, eat almost anything. Here at the station we have found that a breakfast of corn-flakes, with a small amount of milk and sugar, a luncheon of pickled beets or raw onions――”