"AUNTIE," said Walter, "is't naughty to catch butterflies?"
"I think if I was a little boy, I'd rather see them flying about in the
sunshine, than shut up in a box or under a glass."
"But is't _wicked_ to kill them?" persisted Walter.
"I think if a little boy caught and killed them because he enjoyed
seeing them suffer, it would be very wrong. God made all the birds and
insects to be happy. He don't want us to treat them cruelly."
"But, auntie, there's a great big house in Boston, not far from papa's
house, and it's most full of dead birds, and spiders, and bugs, and
butterflies, and everything.
"Yes, Walter, I have been there. But the men who caught the birds and
insects did not kill them just for the sake of killing something. They
wished to learn all about the birds and insects in different countries."
"But, auntie," said Walter eagerly, "I saw some ladies when I was out
yesterday, with birds stuck in their hats. Guess they's wicked."
"Yes, Walter, it's wrong, I think, to kill the pretty little birds to
wear as ornaments. We should let them live as long as they will."
[Illustration: WALTER'S BUTTERFLIES.]