Part 3 (1/2)

”I should like to knohy,” said Bobby, looking as if he thought Professor Rana was reatest eneles at poor Bobby

”Tigers,” said Bobby, pro,” said the lecturer ”Insects Insects destroy property on this continent to the amount of over four hundred million dollars annually

Insects destroy the crops upon whichto school hasn't made you very wise, has it? Well, the toads are insect destroyers That's their business If the State only knew enough to ht be saved every year Does it seeht be, when it allows such numbers of toads to be destroyed?”

”It's a shame!” chimed in a voice from the front seats ”We keep out of the way as much as we can; we eat every kind of troublesome worm and insect,--the cutworm, canker-worm, tent caterpillar, army-wores or food or care,--and what do we get in return? Not even protection and common kindness If we had places where we could live in safety, who could tell the aht do? Yet I would not have this poor boy hurt if a word of ,” observed the professor; ”and benevolent sentiments are quite out of place We will now proceed to notice the delicate nervous system of the creature Stand closer, my friends, if you please”

”Nervous systes as nerves!”

Suddenly Bobby felt a multitude of tiny pin pricks over the entire surface of his body The suffering was not intense, but the irritation made him squirm and wince He could not discover the cause of his discomfort, but at the professor's co ”Each hair on his head is also connected with a nerve Pull his hair, please!”

”Oh, don't!” said Bobby ”That hurts!”

nobody listened to him It did hurt,each hair separately When the ordeal was over, Bobby heard a faint noise in the grass as if so away, but he could see nothing He inking his eyes desperately to keep froo now,” said the professor; and the sound of little feet died away in the distance

”How interesting this is!”the experiments attentively

”I think it's mean,” protested poor Bobby, ”to keep a fellow fastened up like this, and then tor skinned, or having your legs cut off?”

demanded the professor

”Or should you prefer to be stepped on, or burned up in a rubbish pile?”

asked Mrs Bufo

”How should you like to be stoned or kicked, for a change?” said another toad sharply

”Perhaps you would choose a fish-hook in the corner of your mouth?” said a voice froth of your body?” caround under Bobby's head

”Wait a ive you a chance to defend yourself It is not customary to inquire into the moral character of specimens, but we do not wish to be unjust Perhaps you can explain why you made a bonfire the very week after the toads came out of their winter-quarters Dozens of lives were destroyed before that fire was put out”

”I forgot about the toads,” began Bobby

”Carelessness!” said the professor ”Now you may tell us why you like to throw stones at us”

”To see you juhtlessness!” said the professor ”That's worse”

”Why do you kick us, instead of lifting us gently e are in your way?” inquired a toad in a stern voice

”Because you will give me warts if I touch you,” said Bobby, pleased to think that he had a good reason at last