tracks in the snow, and they lie down to rest in the evergreens
and watch for their enemies in the middle of the
day! Father Deer told me about it all over again! I
want to stay here and play all winter like other folks!
Sally Beaver's mother, she said--"

"Hush," advised Mother Bear, "you have said
enough!"

Mother Bear spoke severely, but a moment later when
the little fellow went out and sat on the doorstep to think,
she said to Father Bear, "Suppose we have a surprise
party for Little Bear?"

[Illustration: "I don't want to sleep all winter"]

"A good idea!" agreed Father Bear. "But there is
snow in the air, and if there is to be a party it had better
be this afternoon. Whom do you wish to invite?"

Mother Bear smiled as she answered, "Let us invite
the children of our hibernating friends. I think that will
be pleasanter. We'll invite Auntie Cinnamon's children,
and Uncle Brown Bear's family, and the Porcupine
twins, and the Field Mice children, and the young Musk-rats.
If you will do the inviting, I will make blackberry
jam and honey cakes and get the house in order!"

Little Bear didn't even ask a question as Father Bear
started out, looking rather proud of his new fur overcoat.