So, you see, it looks as if the owls must have eaten some of the snakes, and, anyhow, I think Bill was telling the truth _this_ time." "Well," said Uncle after puffing at his pipe for a few complimentary moments of reflection, "there's one important thing which Bill appears to have neglected.

He doesn't seem to have inquired the views of the prairie dogs on the subject.

Now, if he'd got _their_ opinion--" "But how _could_ he ?" protested the Child reproachfully.

He was always troubled when Uncle Andy displayed anything like a frivolous strain.
"To be sure! To be sure! You _couldn't_ have expected that of Bill," agreed Uncle Andy.

"Still, you know, the opinion of the prairie dogs would have been interesting, wouldn't it?
Well, I'll tell you a story just as soon as I can get this old pipe to draw properly, and then you can judge the opinion of the prairie dogs as to whether the Little Burrowing Owl is 'good' or not.