158 GLOOSCAP AND OTHER STORIES "It is wonderful," thought he, "how easily some people can get a living! Why can I not do as the bear does? Why I can, of course! Come over and dine with me, to-morrow," he said to the Bear. The next day, at the appointed time, the Bear came. "Noogum.ee, prepare the meal," said Albee- gumooch, even more proudly than ever before. "But," said the old lady, "there is nothing to prepare." "Put over the kettle to boil, and 7 will at¬ tend to the rest," said Ableegumooch, throw¬ ing out his chest importantly. He took a small stone knife, and began to cut his foot, as he had seen the Bear do. But alas for his poor little lean toes! Bits of skin and fur were all he could cut from them. He hacked and hacked at one foot and then at another, but all in vain. He could not get any meat to start the dinner, for he did not have cushions like the Bear. The Bear looked on in astonishment, and said to the grandmother: "What on earth is the fellow trying to do?" "Oh, dear! Oh, dear!" sighed the grand¬ mother, shaking her head, "I suppose he has seen someone else do that and he thinks that he can do it too." "Come!" said the bear, "give me your knife, and let us see what I can do." So he took the