The Story of Freginald by Walter R. Brooks

Leo. “We’ll just give him a little lesson, anyway. Just so he’ll know what will happen if you find out that he has been picking on Bruno, here. Sit down, everybody, please.”
    So the bears all sat down and Leo and Freginald went into the middle of the ring and boxed a couple of rounds. Of course, Freginald wasn’t anywhere near as good as Leo, but he had taken a number of lessons from the kangaroo and he had a left hook which was as quick as lightning. It was a very pretty exhibition to watch and the bears, being naturally good boxers, applauded generously.
    When they finished they found that Dan had sneaked away.
    â€œWell, I guess that ends the Louise business,” said Bruno. “I take back anything I ever said about your being a sissy, Freginald.” And all the other young bears said the same thing.
    When the neighbors had gone they started to go back in the cave again, but Louise said she guessed as long as she couldn’t get all inside she’d better stay all outside, because maybe some more neighbors would come along. So they all stayed out. They had a picnic lunch outdoors and in the afternoon a lot more animals dropped in. Some of them had never seen an elephant or a lion before, and they just sat around in a circle and admired Leo and Louise. Leo always liked being admired and he acted a little extra grand for their benefit. One little rabbit, named Henny, who was too shy to say anything, sat and looked at Leo for so long with his big pink eyes that finally the lion smiled at him and said graciously: “What are you thinking about so solemnly, my little man?”

    â€œYou, sir,” said Henny, and blushed. Of course he didn’t actually blush, for a rabbit’s face is covered with white fur, but he looked as if he was blushing, which amounts to the same thing.
    â€œIndeed?” said Leo. “And will you tell me what you were thinking?”
    â€œWell, sir, I—I know a little girl who has hair the same color as your mane,” said Henny.
    â€œYes?” said Leo, shaking his head self-consciously so that his mane would fall more gracefully over his shoulders. “Don’t be afraid to say what you are thinking.”
    â€œWell, sir,” said Henny, “I was thinking that—now, that if you had your mane combed and curled every day the way she does, it wouldn’t—well, it would look nicer.”
    Leo, who had been expecting a compliment, looked a little foolish and said: “H’m, ha. Well, yes. I dare say.” And Louise giggled.
    But Leo got up and, ignoring Henny, said: “I think, if you don’t mind, I will take a little walk through your magnificent woods. I always take a walk and a little nap in the afternoon. I will be back later.” And he strolled off.

CHAPTER 12
    Freginald and his friends started back to the circus the next morning. It wasn’t far, and as it was a beautiful day, they decided to go around by Hilldale and get a soda and do a little window-shopping on the way. Main Street was bright and fluttering with bunting and flags, for the mayor always proclaimed a holiday when the circus came to town, and there was a big arch across the street by the Hilldale Palace Hotel with “Welcome Boomschmidt” on it.
    Freginald and Leo went into the drug store to get their soda. They took chocolate and sent out a raspberry one to Louise, who was too big to come in. Freginald talked to Leo, but pretty soon he saw that the lion was not listening, but was looking out of the window with a dreamy expression. Freginald looked too, but there wasn’t anything to be seen but a lot of people standing around and watching Louise eat her soda.
    â€œWhat are you thinking about so solemnly, my little man?” said Freginald with a grin.
    Leo started, and then he smiled and said: “That’s funny, Fredg. You know, I was just thinking about that rabbit. That place over there—” He