“I didn’t dream it,” she said at last in an awed little whisper. “It was as real as anything could be that you couldn’t see. I suppose ‘brotherhood’ means not to be unkind or cruel to things. Oh, Belinda, just think of it: hearing what they say, the bees and the butterflies and the dear little crickets and funny old grasshoppers,” and she snatched Belinda to her and hugged her tight. “It will be harder than ever to go into the house now, won’t it?” she finished soberly. Then she sat for a few minutes thinking, very quiet, but very happy. “Kerchug—kerchug—kerchug,” called a voice from the brook, and Ruth started so suddenly she nearly dropped Belinda, and caught a branch just in time to keep herself from falling. “Gracious,” she said, “how that scared me. I do believe it was that big green and brown frog. See him down there, Belinda? He is just showing his head and his funny eyes out of the water. Let’s get down close to him, and maybe he’ll come out all the way.” [Illustration] [Illustration] CHAPTER II TWO FUNNY GENTLEMEN AND WHAT THEY SAID Nothing useless is or low. —_Tennyson._ “To be sure I’ll come out,” answered a croaky voice, as Ruth, holding Belinda tightly, drew close to the edge of the brook. “How’s that?” and with a splash a big green and brown frog landed on the stone at her feet. “Now,” he added, swelling out his white vest with an air of importance, “I am a frog, of course, but my family name is Rana. Please don’t forget it.” [Illustration: “RUTH, HOLDING BELINDA TIGHTLY, DREW CLOSE TO THE EDGE OF THE BROOK”] “Family name?” said Ruth, sitting down on the edge of the stone. “I didn’t know frogs had family names.” “There’s a great deal you don’t know,” said Mr. Rana, in his decided way. [Illustration: “‘HOW’S THAT?’ AND WITH A SPLASH A BIG GREEN AND BROWN FROG LANDED ON THE STONE AT HER FEET”] “Maybe there is,” agreed Ruth, “but it isn’t very polite to tell me so.” Then, with a sudden thought, she added quickly, “Why, you are really talking.” “Of course, I’m talking. Do you suppose it’s the first time?” [Illustration: “‘I AM A FROG, OF COURSE, BUT MY FAMILY NAME IS RANA’”] “He’s dreadfully snappy,” Ruth whispered to Belinda. “It isn’t my fault that people can’t understand,” finished Mr. Rana, swallowing very fast. “I wanted to understand,” declared Ruth meekly. “I was sure you could tell me such a lot of interesting things, and that nice fat toad in the garden too. He is so——” “You’d better talk to the fat toad, then,” said Mr. Rana, looking very cross. “Oh, dear,” sighed Ruth, “I didn’t mean I’d _rather_ talk to him. I do want you to tell me things. All about yourself, please.”