He seized the gray duck by the neck, And flung her over across his back, While the old duck cried out, "Quack, quack, quack," With her legs dangling down behind O! Then old Mrs. Flipper Flapper jumped out of bed, And out of the window she popped her head, Crying, "John, John, John, the gray goose is gone, And the Fox is off to his den O!" Then John went up to the top of the hill, And he blew a blast both loud and shrill. Says the Fox, "That is fine music, still I'd rather be off to my den O!" So the Fox he hurried home to his den, To his dear little foxes eight, nine, ten. Says he, "We're in luck, here's a big fat duck With her legs dangling down behind O!" Then the Fox sat down with his hungry wife, And they made a good meal without fork or knife. They never had a better time in all their life, And the little ones picked the bones O! THREE COMPANIONS BY DINAH MARIA MULOCK-CRAIK We go on our walk together-- Baby and dog and I-- Three little merry companions, 'Neath any sort of sky Blue as our baby's eyes are, Gray like our old dog's tail; Be it windy or cloudy or stormy, Our courage will never fail. Baby's a little lady; Dog is a gentleman brave; If he had two legs as you have, He'd kneel to her like a slave; As it is, he loves and protects her, As dog and gentleman can. I'd rather be a kind doggie, I think, than a cruel man. "'FRAID CAT!" BY FRANK MUNRO To Pussy-town, the other day, The movies came. And you must know, The only chance mice have to play Is when the cats Go to the show! (Yes, mice have certain little "rights"-- Though I confess 'Em hard to see! And one is to stay up o' nights And steal our cheese-- If cheese there be!) Well, in the playhouse, on the screen, The pussies saw (And so may you) True love run smoothly, I ween: But "also ran," A dog in blue! The foolish cats, in great alarm, Dashed out, nor Asked for money back!-- A dog policeman has no charm When he is close Upon one's track! They did not use their heads. I fear; (Some boys and girls Are just like that) And so the pussies now must hear The grown folks say "'Fraid cat! 'Fraid cat!" [Illustration: THE CATS AT THE MOVIES FROM A DRAWING BY CULMER BARNES] THE SPIDER AND THE FLY BY MARY HOWITT