Della is obviously feeding babies who are stashed away in the nest. She does her best to keep up her strength. She’s found a hazelnut she stored last fall, and has it all shelled and ready to enjoy.

“But oh dear! What’s this? Danger! It’s that darned Emma again. She’s a squirrel killer if I ever saw one.”

“Aw! C’mon, Della,” says Emma. “I just want to play. And what are you eating? I’m always interested in food.”

 

“No way! I’m getting up higher into this tree. Good thing there’s a fence so she can’t get at my babies.”

Later, the young squirrels come out of hiding for the first time. They are about the size of a small hamster.

Do you see three of them? One is very shy. Only his head shows.

 

“What are you eating down there? Is that a sunflower seed? Are they any good?”

 

“Aw … pretty please and kisses too? Let me try one.”

 

“I’ll tell Mom you’re not sharing….”

“Go ahead. She doesn’t care. She’s busy cleaning the house anyway, so you’d better not bug her.”

 

Della sighs. “A woman’s work is never done. I need a holiday.”