'
"'Nothing is easier,' answered the spider. 'Just run up there, and tell
them all I sent you, and nobody will mind you.'
"'But we haven't got claws like you, Mr. Spider,' said Buffy.
"'Ah! no more you have, poor unprovided creatures! Still, I think we can
manage it. Come home with me.'
"'You won't eat us, will you?' said Buffy.
"'My dear child,' answered the spider, in a tone of injured dignity, 'I
eat nothing but what is mischievous or useless. You have helped me, and
now I will help you.'
"The children rose at once, and, climbing as well as they could, reached
the spider's nest in the centre of the web. They did not find it very
difficult; for whenever too great a gap came, the spider spinning a
strong cord stretched it just where they would have chosen to put their
feet next. He left them in his nest, after bringing them two enormous
honey-bags, taken from bees that he had caught. Presently about six of the
wisest of the spiders came back with him. It was rather horrible to look
up and see them all round the mouth of the nest, looking down on them in
contemplation, as if wondering whether they would be nice eating.
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