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[Illustration: Chapter VI
_A Quilly Acquaintance_]
The little staircase seemed very dark and pokey to Mr. Bushy Tail, and
he devoutly hoped that nothing would jump out and bite him.
After a number of windings, however, he saw a faint light below him,
and a few moments later, he stepped through a low doorway, and found
himself close beside his quilly acquaintance.
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“How do you do, and where did you drop from?” asked Squeaky Voice.
“I am sure I don’t know where I dropped from,” replied Mr. Bushy Tail,
“but I came a long distance, at a very high rate of speed.”
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“Have a few ants for luncheon?” inquired Mr. Quills.
“Have a few what?” asked the astonished Mr. Bushy Tail.
“Ants,” replied the Quilly One. “Red ants! White ants! Black ants!
Speckled ants!--just any kind of ants. They are all excellent, both as
food and appetizers.”
“No, thank you,” said Mr. Bushy Tail, in rather a disgusted voice. “I
do not care for ants. Do you eat nothing else?”
“Nothing!” answered the other proudly. “I am the world famous Quilly
Ant-Eater, of whom you have doubtless heard.”
Now Mr. Bushy Tail had never heard of this celebrated personage, but
he was too wise to say so. He only inquired where he could find a few
nuts, for he was half starved, and also the nearest way to the North.
The squeaky Mr. Quilly Ant-Eater led him to a charming wood, where nuts
grew in abundance, (as well as ants) for here at the South Pole it was
summer, and the flowers and trees were in full bloom.
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Mr. Bushy Tail’s winter coat felt much too warm, and as he could not
shed it until Spring came in the North, he concluded that he had better
travel home as speedily as possible, or he might melt away entirely.
Mr. Quills did not know the way North, but he directed Mr. Bushy Tail
to an intimate friend of his, Mr. Ring-Tailed Snorter, who was a great
traveller, and would undoubtedly be able to help him.
Mr. Bushy Tail felt rather timid about meeting a person with such a
fearsome name, but he felt that he _must_ hurry home to his perchance
starving family.
So, after thanking Mr. Quilly Ant-Eater for his kindness, he took his
courage in his paws, and started off to find Mr. Snorter.
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