In trembling triumph, Andrew brought his new friend to see his darlings. He greatly hoped that Jack would not appear on the scene just now. While Maggie was up in her bedroom taking off, her hat, he had, with herculean strength, managed to move an old wooden door and put it in such a position that Jack's hutch was completely hidden, while his hutch shone forth in all its glory, with those fascinating creatures Spot-ear, Angelus, Dove, and Clover looking through their prison-bars at the tempting meal that awaited them. "Here they are! here they are!" said Andrew. "Beauties, all four; my own--my very own! Maggie, you may share one of them with me while you are here. He must live in his hutch, but he shall be yours and mine. Would you like Spot-ear? He is a character. He's the finest old cove you ever came across in your life. Look at him now, pretending he doesn't care anything at all for his lettuce, and he's just dying for it. Clover is the greedy one. Clover would eat till he-burst if I let him. As to Angelus, she squeaks sometimes--you'll hear her if you listen hard--that's why I called her Angelus; and Dove--why, she's a dear pet; but the character of all is Spot-ear. You'd like to share him with me, wouldn't you, Maggie?" "Yes, yes; he is so ugly; he is quite interesting," said Maggie. She flung herself on the ground by the side of the hutch, and gazed in at the occupants as though her only aim in life was to worship rabbits. "You take that leaf of lettuce and give it to Spot-ear your very own self," said Peterkins. "He'll love you ever after; he's a most affectionate old fellow." Maggie proceeded to feed the rabbit. Peterkins hopped about in a state of excitement which he had seldom experienced before. Maggie asked innumerable questions. Belle seated herself on the fallen trunk of an old oak-tree and looked on in wonder. Maggie was a curious girl. She seemed to have a power over every one. There was Andrew--such a shy little fellow as a rule--simply pouring out his heart to her. Suddenly Belle rose. "It's time for lunch," she said, "and you must be hungry. Andrew, go straight to the house and wash your face and hands. No lady would sit down to lunch with such a dirty boy as you are." "Oh, I say, am I?" said Andrew. "Do you think so, Maggie?" "You are a most disreputable-looking little scamp," said Maggie. "Then I won't be--I won't, most truly. I'll run off at once and get clean, and I'll get into my Sunday best if you wish it." "Dear me, no!" said Maggie; "I don't wish it. But clean hands and face--well, they are essential to the ordinary British boy, if he's a gentleman." "I am your gentleman--for evermore," said Andrew. "I think you are, Peterkins." "Then I'm off to clean up," said the small boy. "I say, Andrew," cried his sister; "before you go take that door away from Jack's hutch. He'll be so furious at your keeping the light and air away from his rabbits." "Not I. I can't be bothered," said Peterkins.