Potter. Beatrix the Great Big Treasury of Beatrix Potter

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The Great Big Treasury of

Beatrix Potter by

Beatrix Potter

M e sa V ie w C l as s ic S e ri e s

MesaView, Inc.

Published by

MesaView, Inc.

Nashua, NH

For information, contact

[email protected]

http://www.mesaview.com

Public Domain

ISBN:1-58515-free-898

T ab le o f C on te nt sT HE T AL E O F P ET ER R AB BI T

P a g e 1

http://www.mesaview.com/

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T HE T AI L OR O F G LO UC ES TE R

T HE T AL E O F S QU IR RE L N UT KI N

T HE T AL E O F B EN JA MI N B UN NY

THE TALE OF TWO BAD MICE

T HE T AL E O F M RS . T IG GY -W IN KL E

T HE P IE A ND T HE P AT TY -P AN

T HE T AL E O F M R. J ER EM Y F IS HE R

TH E ST ORY O F A F IE RC E BA D RA BB IT

T HE S TO RY O F M IS S M OP PE T

T HE T AL E O F T OM K ITT EN

T HE T AL E O F J EM I MA P UD DL E- D UC K

T H E R OL Y -P O LY P UD D IN G

T HE T AL E O F T HE F LO PS Y B UN NI ES

T HE T AL E O F M RS . T IT TL EM OU SE

T HE T AL E O F T IM MY T IP TO ES

THE TALE OF M R. TOD

T HE T AL E O F P IG LI NG B LA ND

G I NG ER A N D P I CK L ES

THE TALE OF PETER R A B B I T

O nc e u po n a t im e t he re w er e f ou r l it tl e R ab bi ts , a nd t he ir n am es w er e F lo ps y, M op sy , C ot to n- ta il , a nd

Peter.

T he y l iv ed w it h t he ir M ot he r i n a s an d- ba nk , u nd er ne at h t he r oo t o f a v er y b ig f ir -t re e.

" Now , my de ar s, " s ai d ol d Mr s. R abbi t one m orni ng, " you ma y go int o t he f ie lds or down t he l ane , but

d on 't g o i nt o Mr . M cGr eg or 's g ar de n: y ou r F at he r h ad a n a cc id en t t he re ; h e w as p ut i n a p ie b y M rs .

P a g e 2



McGregor. "

" N ow r un a lo ng, a nd do n' t g et i nt o m is ch ie f. I a m g oi ng ou t. "

T he n ol d M rs . R abb it t oo k a ba sk et a nd he r u mb re ll a, a nd w en t t hr oug h t he w ood t o t he ba ke r' s. S he

bought a loaf of brown bread and five currant buns.

F lo ps y, M op sy , a nd C ot to n- ta il , w ho w er e g oo d l it tl e b un ni es , w en t d ow n t he l an e t o g at he r

blackberries;

B ut P et er , w ho w as v er y n au gh ty , r an s tr ai gh t a wa y t o M r. M cG re go r' s g ar de n, a nd s qu ee ze d u nd er t he

gate!

F ir st he a te s om e l et tuc es a nd s om e F re nc h be an s; a nd t he n h e a te s om e r ad is he s;

A nd t he n, f ee li ng r at he r s ic k, h e w en t t o l oo k f or s om e p ar sl ey .

B ut r ou nd t he e nd o f a c uc um be r f ra me , w ho m s ho ul d h e m ee t b ut M r. M cG re go r!

M r. M cG re go r w as o n h is h an ds a nd k ne es p la nt in g o ut y ou ng c ab ba ge s, b ut h e j um pe d u p a nd r an a ft er

P et er , w av in g a r ak e a nd c al li ng o ut , " S to p t hi ef . "

P et er w as m os t d re ad fu ll y f ri gh te ne d; h e r us he d a ll o ve r t he g ar de n, f or h e h ad f or go tt en t he w ay b ac k t o

t he g at e.

H e l os t on e of hi s s hoe s a mo ng t he c abb ag es , a nd t he o th er s ho e a mo ng st t he po ta to es .

A ft er l os in g t he m, h e r an o n f ou r l eg s a nd w ent f as te r, s o t ha t I t hi nk h e m ig ht h av e g ot a wa y a lt oge the r i f h e h ad n ot u nf or tu na te ly r un i nt o a g oo se be rr y n et , a nd g ot c au gh t b y t he l ar ge b ut to ns o n h is j ac ke t. I t

w as a b lu e j ac ke t w it h b ra ss b ut to ns , q ui te n ew .

P et er g av e h im se lf u p f or l os t, a nd s he d b ig t ea rs ; b ut h is s ob s w er e o ve rh ea rd b y s om e f ri en dl y

s parr ow s, w ho f lew t o h im i n g reat excit em en t, and i mp lo red h im t o exert h im self .

M r. M cG re gor c ame u p wi th a s ie ve , wh ic h h e i nt ende d t o po p up on t he t op o f Pe te r; bu t Pe te r wr igg le d

o ut j us t i n t im e, l eavi ng h is j acket b eh in d h im .

A nd r us he d i nt o t he t oo ls he d, a nd j um pe d i nt o a c an . I t w ou ld h av e b ee n a b ea ut if ul t hi ng t o hi de i n, i f i thad not had so much water in it.

M r. M cG re go r w as q ui te s ur e t ha t P et er w as s om ew he re i n t he t oo ls he d, p er ha ps h id de n u nd er ne at h a

f lo wer- p ot . H e b eg an t o t ur n t hem o ver car ef ul ly , l oo ki ng u nd er each.

P re se nt ly P et er s ne ez ed -- " K er ty sc ho o! " M r. M cG re go r w as a ft er h im i n n o t im e,

A nd t ri ed t o p ut h is f oo t u po n P et er , w ho j um pe d o ut o f a w in do w, u ps et ti ng t hr ee p la nt s. T he w in do w

w as t oo s ma ll f or M r. M cG re gor , a nd h e w as t ir ed of r un ni ng a ft er Pe te r. H e w en t ba ck t o hi s w or k.

Pe te r s at do wn t o r es t; h e wa s out of br ea th a nd t re mb li ng w it h f ri ght , a nd he ha d no t t he l ea st i de a whi ch

wa y t o go. Al so he wa s ve ry dam p wi th s it ti ng i n t ha t ca n.

P a g e 3



A ft er a t im e h e b eg an t o w an der abo ut , g oi ng l ip pi ty -- li pp it y- -n ot v er y f as t, and l oo ki ng all aro un d.

He f ound a door i n a wall ; but it wa s locked, and there was no room for a f at little r abbit t o squeeze

underneath.

A n o ld m ou se w as r un ni ng i n a nd o ut o ve r t he s to ne d oo rs te p, c ar ry in g p ea s a nd b ea ns t o h er f am il y i n

the wood. Pet er a sked he r the way t o t he gat e, but s he had such a la rge pe a in he r mouth that s he c ouldn ot a ns we r. S he on ly s hoo k h er h ea d a t h im . P et er be ga n t o c ry.

T he n h e t ri ed t o f in d h is w ay s tr ai gh t a cr os s t he g ar de n, b ut h e b ec am e m or e a nd m or e p uz zl ed .

P re se nt ly , h e c am e t o a p on d w he re M r. M cG re go r f il le d h is w at er -c an s. A w hi te c at w as s ta ri ng a t

s om e go ld fi sh ; s he s at v er y, v er y s ti ll , b ut n ow a nd t he n t he t ip o f h er t ai l t wi tc he d a s i f i t w er e a li ve . P et er

t ho ug ht i t b es t t o g o a wa y w it ho ut s pe ak in g t o h er ; h e h as h ea rd a bo ut c at s f ro m h is c ou si n, l it tl e

Benjamin Bunny.

H e w ent ba ck t ow ar ds t he t ool sh ed , bu t s udd en ly, q ui te c los e t o h im , h e h ea rd t he n oi se o f a ho e- -s cr -

r -r i tch, s cr atch, s cr atch, s cr i tch. P et er s cu tt er ed u nd er neat h t he b us hes . B ut p res en tl y, as n ot hi ngh ap pe ne d, h e c am e o ut , a nd c li mb ed u po n a w he el ba rr ow , a nd p ee pe d o ve r. T he f ir st t hi ng h e s aw w as

M r. M cG re go r h oe in g o ni on s. H is b ac k w as t ur ne d t ow ar ds P et er , a nd b ey on d h im w as t he g at e!

P et er g ot d ow n v er y q ui et ly o ff t he w he el ba rr ow , a nd s ta rt ed r un ni ng a s f as t a s h e c ou ld g o, a lo ng a

straight walk behind some black-currant bushes.

M r. M cG re go r c au gh t s ig ht o f h im a t t he c or ne r, b ut P et er d id n ot c ar e. H e s li pp ed u nd er ne at h t he g at e,

a nd w as s af e a t l as t i n t he w oo d o ut si de t he ga rde n.

M r. M cG re go r h un g u p t he l it tl e j ac ke t a nd t he s ho es f or a s ca re -c ro w t o f ri gh te n t he b la ck bi rd s.

P et er n ev er s to pp ed r un ni ng o r l oo ke d b eh in d h im t il l h e g ot h om e t o t he b ig f ir -t re e.

He w as s o t ir ed t ha t he f lop pe d do wn up on t he n ic e s of t s an d on t he f lo or of t he r ab bi t- hol e, a nd s hu t h is

e ye s. H is m ot he r w as b us y c oo ki ng ; s he w on de re d w ha t h e h ad d on e w it h h is c lo th es . I t w as t he s ec on d

l it tl e j ac ke t a nd p ai r o f s ho es t ha t P et er h ad l os t i n a f or tn ig ht !

I a m s or ry t o s ay t ha t Pe te r wa s not ve ry we ll dur ing t he ev eni ng.

His mothe r put him t o bed, and made s ome camomile t ea; and she gave a dose of it to Pete r!

" O ne t abl e- sp oo nf ul t o be t ake n a t b ed -t im e. "

B ut F lo ps y, M op sy , a nd C ot to n- ta il h ad b re ad a nd m il k a nd b la ck be rr ie s f or s up pe r.

THE TAILOR OF

GLOUCESTER " I 'l l be a t c ha rge s f or a l oo ki ng -gl as s; A nd e nt er ta in a s co re o r t wo of t ai lo rs . " [ Ri ch ar d I II ]

P a g e 4



M y D ea r F re da :

B ec au se y ou a re f on d o f f ai ly ta le s, a nd h av e b ee n i ll , I h av e m ad e y ou a s to ry a ll f or y ou rs el f- -a n ew o ne

t ha t n ob od y h as r ea d b ef or e.

A nd t he q ue er es t t hi ng a bo ut i t i s- -t ha t I h ea rd i t i n G lo uc es te rs hi re , a nd t ha t i t i s t ru e- -a t l ea st a bo ut t het ai lo r, t he w ai st co at , a nd t he " N o m or e t wi st ! " _ Ch ri st ma s_

I n t he t im e o f s wo rd s and p er i w ig s and f ul l- sk ir ted coats w it h f lo wered l ap pets -- wh en g en tl em en w or e

r uf fl es , and g ol d- laced w ai st co at s o f p ad uaso y and t af fet a- -t here l iv ed a t ail or i n G lo uces ter .

H e s at i n t he w in do w o f a l it tl e s ho p i n W es tg at e S tr ee t, c ro ss -l eg ge d o n a t ab le f ro m m or ni ng t il l d ar k.

A ll d ay l on g w hi le t he l ig ht l as ted h e s ew ed and s ni pp et ted, p ieci ng o ut h is s at in , and p om pado ur , and

l ut es tr in g; s tu ff s h ad s tr an ge n am es , and w er e v er y exp en si ve i n t he d ay s o f t he T ai lo r o f G lo uces ter.

B ut a lt ho ugh h e s ew ed f ine s il k f or h is n ei ghb ou rs , h e hi ms el f w as v er y, v er y p oo r. H e c ut hi s c oa ts

w it ho ut w as te; accor di ng t o h is emb ro id er ed clo th , t hey w er e v er y s mall end s and s ni pp et s t hat l ay abo ut

u po n t he t ab le -- " T oo n ar ro w b re ad th s f or n ou gh t- -e xc ep t w ai st co at s f or m ic e, " s ai d t he t ai lo r.

O ne b it te r c ol d d ay n ea r C hr is tm as ti me t he t ai lo r b eg an t o m ak e a c oa t ( a c oa t o f c he rr y- c ol ou re d

c or de d s il k e mb ro id er ed w it h p an si es a nd r os es ) a nd a c re am - c ol ou re d s at in w ai st co at f or t he M ay or o f

Gloucester.

Th e t ai lor wo rke d a nd w or ke d, a nd he t al ke d t o hi ms el f: " N o br ea dt h a t a ll , a nd c ut on t he c ros s; i t i s no

breadth at all; tippets for mice and ribbons for mobs! for mice! " said the Tailor of Gloucester.

W he n t he s no w- fl ak es c am e d ow n a ga in st t he s ma ll l ea de d w in do w- p an es a nd s hu t o ut t he l ig ht , t he

t ai lor ha d done hi s da y' s wor k; a ll t he s il k a nd s ati n l ay c ut out up on t he t abl e.

T he re w er e t we lv e p ie ce s f or t he c oa t a nd f ou r p ie ce s f or t he w ai st co at ; a nd t he re w er e p oc ke t- fl ap s a nd

c uf fs a nd b ut to ns , a ll i n o rd er . F or t he l in ing o f t he c oa t t he re w as f in e y el lo w t af fe ta , a nd f or t he b ut to n-

h ol es o f t he w ai st co at t he re w as c he rr y- co lo ur ed t wi st . A nd e ve ry th in g w as r ea dy t o s ew t og et he r i n t he

m or ni ng , all m easu red and s uf fi ci en t- -excep t t hat t here w as w an ti ng j us t o ne s in gl e s kein o f

cherry-coloured twisted silk.

The ta il or c am e out of hi s s hop a t da rk. No one l ive d t he re a t ni ght s but l it tle br own mi ce , a nd THE Y r ani n a nd o ut w it ho ut a ny k ey s!

F or b eh in d t he w oo de n w ai ns co ts o f a ll t he o ld h ou se s i n G lo uc es te r, t he re a re l it tl e m ou se s ta ir ca se s a nd

s ec re t t ra p- do or s; a nd t he m ic e r un f ro m h ou se t o h ou se t hr ou gh t ho se l on g, n ar ro w p as sa ge s.

B ut t he t ai lor c am e o ut o f h is s hop a nd s huf fl ed ho me t hr ou gh t he s no w. A nd a lt hou gh i t w as n ot a b ig

h ou se , t he t ai lo r w as s o p oo r h e o nl y r en te d t he k it ch en .

H e l iv ed a lo ne w it h h is c at ; i t w as c al le d S im pki n.

" M ia w? " s ai d t he c at whe n t he ta il or ope ne d t he do or , " mi aw? "

T he t ai lo r r ep li ed : " S im pk in, w e s ha ll m ak e o ur f or tu ne , b ut I a m w or n t o a r av el li ng . T ak e t hi s g ro at

P a g e 5



u po n t he d re ss er , a nd l oo ke d s us pi ci ou sl y a t t he t ea -c up s. H e w an te d h is s up pe r o f l it tl e f at m ou se !

" Simpki n, " s ai d t he ta il or , " whe re i s my TWI ST? "

B ut S im pk in h id a l it tl e p ar ce l p ri va te ly i n t he t ea -p ot , a nd s pi t a nd g ro wl ed a t t he t ai lo r; a nd i f S im pki n

ha d bee n abl e to tal k, he would have a ske d: " Where is my MOUSE? "

" A la ck , I a m undo ne ! " s ai d t he Ta il or o f G louc es te r, a nd we nt s ad ly t o be d.

A ll t hat n ig ht l on g S im pk in h un ted and s earched t hr ou gh t he k it ch en , p eepi ng i nt o cup bo ar ds and u nd er

t he w ai ns co t, a nd i nt o t he t ea -p ot w he re h e h ad h id de n t ha t t wi st ; b ut s ti ll h e f ou nd n ev er a m ou se !

T he po or o ld t ai lo r w as v er y i ll w it h a f eve r, t os si ng a nd t ur ni ng i n h is f our -p os t b ed ; a nd s ti ll i n h is

d re am s h e m um bl ed : " N o m or e t wi st ! n o m or e t wi st ! "

W ha t s ho ul d b ec om e o f t he c he rr y- c ol ou re d c oa t? W ho s ho ul d c om e t o s ew i t, w he n t he w in do w w as

barred, and the door was fast locked?

O ut -o f- do or s t he m ar ke t f ol ks w en t t ru dg in g t hr ou gh t he s no w t o b uy t he ir g ee se a nd t ur ke ys , a nd t o

bake their Christmas pies; but there would be no dinner for Simpkin and the poor old tailor of

Gloucester.

T he t ai lor l ay i ll f or t hr ee d ay s a nd n ig ht s; a nd t he n i t w as C hr is tm as E ve , a nd ve ry l at e a t ni gh t. A nd s ti ll

S im pk in w an te d h is m ic e, a nd m ew ed a s h e s to od b es id e t he f ou r- po st b ed .

B ut i t i s i n t he o ld s to ry t ha t a ll t he b ea st s c an t al k i n t he n ig ht b et we en C hr is tm as E ve a nd C hr is tm as D ay

i n t he m or ni ng ( th ou gh t he re a re v er y f ew f ol k t ha t c an h ea r t he m, or k no w w ha t i t i s t ha t t he y s ay ).

W he n t he C at he dr al c lo ck s tr uc k t we lv e t he re w as a n a ns we r- -l ik e a n e ch o o f t he c hi me s- -a nd S im pk in

h ea rd i t, a nd c ame ou t o f t he t ai lo r' s d oo r, a nd w and er ed a bou t i n t he s now .

F ro m a ll t he r oo fs a nd g ab le s a nd o ld w oo de n h ou se s i n G lo uc es te r c am e a t ho us an d m er ry v oi ce s

s in gi ng t he o ld C hr is tm as r hy me s- -a ll t he o ld s on gs t ha t e ve r I h ea rd o f, a nd s om e t ha t I d on 't k no w, l ik e

Whittington's bells.

U nd er t he w oo de n e av es t he s ta rl in gs a nd s pa rr ow s s an g o f C hr is tm as p ie s; t he j ac kd aw s w ok e u p i n t he

C at he dr al t ow er ; a nd a lt ho ug h i t w as t he m id dl e o f t he n ig ht t he t hr os tl es a nd r ob ins s an g; a nd a ir w as

quite full of little twittering tunes.

B ut i t w as all r at her p ro vo ki ng t o p oo r h un gr y S im pk in .

Fr om th e t ail or 's s hi p in We st ga te c ame a gl ow of l ight ; a nd w he n Si mpki n c re pt up t o pe ep i n a t t he

w in do w i t w as f ul l o f can dl es . T here w as a s ni pp et in g o f s ci ss or s, and s napp et in g o f t hr ead; and l it tl e

mouse voices sang loudly and gaily:

" F ou r- an d- tw en ty t ai lo rs W en t t o c at ch a s na il , T he b es t m an a mo ng st t he m D ur st n ot t ou ch h er t ai l; S he

put out her horns Like a little kyloe cow. Run, tailors, run! Or she'll have you all e'en now! "

T hen w it ho ut a p au se t he l it tl e m ou se v oi ces w en t o n again :

" S ie ve m y l ad y' s o at me al , G ri nd m y l ad y' s f lo ur , P ut i t i n a c he st nu t, L et i t s ta nd a n ho ur -- "

P a g e 7



" Me w! M ew ! " i nt er rup te d S imp ki n, a nd he s cr at che d a t t he do or . Bu t t he ke y wa s und er t he t ai lo r' s

pillow; he could not get in.

T he l it tl e m ice o nl y l au gh ed , and t ri ed ano th er t un e- -

" Thr ee l it tl e mi ce s at down t o s pi n, Pu ss y pa ss ed by a nd s he p ee pe d i n. W ha t a re yo u a t, my f in e l it tl em en ? M ak in g c oa ts f or g en tl em en . S ha ll I c om e i n a nd c ut o ff y ou rs t hr ea ds ? O h, n o, M is s P us sy , Y ou 'd

bite off our heads! "

" M ew ! s cr at ch ! s cr at ch ! " s cu ff led S im pk in o n t he w in do w- si ll ; w hi le t he l it tl e m ice i ns id e s pr an g t o t heir

f ee t, a nd a ll be ga n t o s ho ut a ll a t o nc e i n l it tl e t wi tt er in g v oi ce s: " N o m or e t wi st ! N o m or e t wi st ! " A nd

t hey b ar red u p t he w in do w- sh ut ters and s hu t o ut S im pk in .

S im pk in c am e a wa y f ro m t he s ho p a nd w ent h om e c ons ide ri ng i n h is m in d. H e f ou nd t he p oo r o ld t ai lo r

without fever, sleeping peacefully.

Th en Si mpki n we nt o n t ip- toe a nd t ook a l it tl e pa rc el of s il k ou t of t he t ea -pot ; a nd l oo ke d a t i t i n t he

m oo nl ig ht ; and h e f el t q ui te ash am ed o f h is b ad ness com pared w it h t ho se g oo d l it tl e m ice!

W he n t he t ai lor a wo ke i n t he m or ni ng , t he f ir st t hi ng w hi ch h e s aw , u po n t he p at ch wo rk q ui lt , w as a s ke in

o f cherr y- co lo ur ed t wi st ed s il k, and b es id e h is b ed s t oo d t he r epent an t S im pk in !

The su n wa s s hini ng on t he s now wh en t he t ai lor got up a nd dr es se d, a nd c am e out i nt o t he s tre et wi th

Simpkin running before him.

" A la ck , " s ai d t he t ai lo r, " I h av e m y t wi st ; b ut n o m or e s tr en gt h- -n or t im e- -t ha n w il l s er ve t o m ak e m e

o ne s in gl e b ut to nh ol e; f or t hi s i s C hr is tm as D ay i n t he M or ni ng ! T he M ay or o f G lo uces ter s hall b em ar ri ed b y n oo n- -a nd w he re i s h is c he rr y- c ol ou re d c oa t? "

He un loc ke d t he door of t he l it tl e s hop i n We st ga te St re et , a nd S imp ki n r an i n, l ike a c at t ha t e xpe ct s

something.

Bu t t he re w as no on e t he re ! N ot e ve n one l it tl e br own m ous e!

B ut u po n t he t ab le -- oh j oy ! t he t ai lo r g av e a s ho ut -- th er e, w he re h e h ad l ef t p la in c ut ti ng s o f s il k- -t he re

l ay t he m os t b ea ut if ul c oa t a nd e mb ro id er ed s at in w ai st co at t ha t e ve r w er e w or n b y a M ay or o f

Gloucester!

Everything was finished except just one single cherry-coloured buttonhole, and where that buttonhole

w as w an ti ng t he re w as p in ne d a s cr ap o f p ap er w it h t he se w or ds -- in l it tl e t ee ny w ee ny w ri ti ng --

NO MORE TWIST.

A nd f ro m t he n b eg an t he l uc k o f t he T ai lo r o f G lo uc es te r; h e g re w q ui te s to ut , a nd h e g re w q ui te r ic h.

H e m ad e t he m os t w on de rf ul w ai st coa ts f or a ll t he r ic h m er ch an ts o f G lou ce st er , a nd f or a ll t he f in e

gentlemen of the country round.

Never were seen such ruffles, or such embroidered cuffs and lappets! But his buttonholes were the

g reat es t t ri um ph o f i t all .

P a g e 8



T he s ti tc he s o f t ho se b ut to nh ol es w er e s o n ea t- -S O n ea t- -I w on de r h ow t he y c ou ld b e s ti tc he d b y a n o ld

m an i n s pect acles, w it h cro ok ed o ld f in gers , and a t ai lo r' s t hi mb le.

T he s ti tc he s o f t ho se b ut to nh ol es w er e s o s ma ll -- SO s ma ll -- th ey l oo ke d a s i f t he y h ad b ee n m ad e b y

little mice!

THE TALE OF SQUIRREL

N U T K I N[ A S to ry f or N or ah ]

T hi s i s a T al e a bo ut a t ai l- -a t ai l t ha t b el on ge d t o a l it tl e r ed s qu ir re l, a nd h is n am e w as N ut ki n.

He ha d a br ot he r c al le d Tw inkl ebe rr y, a nd a gr ea t ma ny c ous in s: t he y l ive d i n a wo od a t t he e dge o f a

lake.

I n t he m id dl e o f t he l ak e t he re i s a n i sl an d c ov er ed w it h t re es a nd n ut b us he s; a nd a mo ng st t ho se t re es

s ta nds a h ol low o ak- tr ee , wh ic h i s t he hous e o f a n o wl who i s c al le d Ol d Br own.

O ne a ut um n w he n t he n ut s w er e r ip e, a nd t he l ea ve s o n t he h az el b us he s w er e g ol de n a nd g re en -- N ut ki n

a nd T wi nk le be rr y a nd a ll t he o th er l it tl e s qu ir re ls c am e o ut o f t he w oo d, a nd d ow n t o t he e dg e o f t he

lake.

T he y m ad e l it tl e r af ts o ut o f t wi gs , a nd t he y p ad dl ed a wa y o ve r t he w at er t o O wl I sl an d t o g at he r n ut s.

Ea ch s qui rr el h ad a l it tl e s ac k a nd a l ar ge oa r, a nd s pr ea d out hi s t ai l f or a s ai l.

The y a ls o t ook wi th th em a n of fe ri ng of t hr ee f at mi ce a s a pr es ent f or O ld Br own , a nd put t he m down

u po n h i s d oo r -s t ep .

T hen T wi nk leberr y and t he o th er l it tl e s qu ir rels each m ad e a l ow b ow , and s ai d p ol it el y- -

" O ld M r. B row n, w il l yo u f av our us w it h p er mi ss ion t o ga th er n ut s u po n yo ur i sl and ? "

B ut N ut ki n w as e xc es si ve ly i mp er ti ne nt i n h is m an ne rs . H e b ob be d u p a nd d ow n l ik e a l it tl e r ed

CHERRY, singing--

" R iddl e me , r iddl e me , r ot -t ot -t ot e! A l it tl e we e m an, i n a r ed r ed c oa t! A s ta ff i n hi s ha nd , a nd a s to ne i n

hi s t hr oa t; I f yo u' ll t el l m e t hi s r id dl e, I 'l l gi ve y ou a gr oa t. "

Now this riddle is as old as the hills; Mr. Brown paid no attention whatever to Nutkin.

H e s hu t h is e ye s o bs ti na te ly a nd w en t t o s le ep .

T he s qu ir rels f il led t heir l it tl e s acks w it h n ut s, and s ai led away h om e i n t he eveni ng .

P a g e 9



B ut n ex t m or ni ng t he y a ll c am e ba ck a ga in t o O wl I sl an d; a nd T wi nkl eb er ry a nd t he o th er s b ro ug ht a f in e

f at m ol e, a nd l ai d i t o n t he s to ne i n f ront o f O ld B row n' s d oor wa y, a nd s ai d- -

" M r. B ro wn, w il l yo u f av ou r u s w it h y our gr ac iou s pe rm is si on t o g at he r s om e m or e n ut s? "

B ut N ut ki n, w ho h ad n o r es pe ct , b eg an t o d an ce u p a nd d ow n, t ic kl in g o ld M r. B ro wn w it h a N ET TL Eand singing--

" O ld M r. B ! R id dl e- me-r ee! H it ty P it ty w it hi n t he w al l, H it ty P it ty w it ho ut t he w al l; I f y ou t ou ch H it ty

P it ty , H it ty P it ty w il l b it e y ou ! "

M r. B ro wn w ok e u p s ud de nl y a nd c ar ri ed t he m ol e i nt o h is h ou se .

He s hut t he door i n Nu tki n' s f ac e. Pr es ent ly a l it tl e t hr ea d o f bl ue S MO KE f ro m a woo d f ir e c ame up

f ro m t he t op o f t he t re e, a nd N ut ki n p ee pe d t hr ou gh t he k ey -h ol e a nd s an g- -

" A ho us e f ul l, a ho le f ul l! A nd yo u c anno t ga the r a b ow l- fu ll ! "

T he s qu ir rels s earched f or n ut s all o ver t he i sl an d and f il led t heir l it tl e s acks .

B ut N ut ki n g at her ed o ak -app les -- y el lo w and s car let- - an d s at u po n a b eech- s tu mp p layi ng m ar bl es, and

w at ch in g t he d oo r o f o ld M r. B ro wn .

O n t he t hi rd da y t he s qu ir re ls g ot u p v er y e ar ly a nd w en t f is hi ng; t he y c au gh t s ev en f at m in no ws a s a

present for Old Brown.

T he y p ad dl ed o ve r t he l ak e a nd l an de d u nd er a c ro ok ed c he st nu t t re e o n O wl I sl an d.

T wi nk leberr y and s ix o th er l it tl e s qu ir rels each car ri ed a f at m in no w; b ut N ut ki n, w ho h ad n o n ice

m an ners , b ro ug ht n o p resent at all . H e r an i n f ro nt , s in gi ng --

" The ma n i n t he wi lde rne ss s ai d t o me , ` How m ay s tr awb er rie s gr ow i n t he s ea ?' I a ns we re d hi m a s I

t ho ug ht goo d- - ` As ma ny r ed he rr in gs a s gr ow i n t he w oo d. " '

B ut o ld M r. B ro wn t oo k n o i nt er es t i n r id dl es -- no t e ve n w he n t he a ns we r w as p ro vi de d f or h im .

O n t he f ou rt h d ay t he s qu ir re ls b ro ug ht a p re se nt o f s ix f at b ee tl es , w hi ch w er e a s g oo d a s p lu ms i nP LU M- PU DD IN G f or O ld B ro wn . E ac h b ee tl e w as w ra pp ed u p c ar ef ul ly i n a d oc kl ea f, f as te ne d w it h a

pine-needle- pin.

B ut N ut ki n s an g a s r ud el y a s e ve r- -

" O ld M r. B ! r id dl e- me -r ee ! F lo ur o f E ng la nd , f ru it o f S pa in , M et t og et he r i n a s ho we r o f r ai n; P ut i n a

bag tied round with a string, If you'll tell me this riddle, I'll give you a ring! "

W hi ch w as r id ic ul ou s o f N ut ki n, b ec au se h e h ad n ot g ot a ny r in g t o g iv e t o O ld B ro wn .

T he o th er s qu ir rels h un ted u p and d ow n t he n ut b us hes; b ut N ut ki n g at hered r ob in 's p in -cus hi on s o ff a

briar bush, and stuck them full of pine-needle-pins.

P a g e 1 0



O n t he f if th d ay t he s qu ir re ls b ro ug ht a p re se nt o f w il d h on ey ; i t w as s o s we et a nd s ti ck y t ha t t he y l ic ke d

t he ir fi nge rs a s t he y put it dow n upon t he s tone . The y ha d s tol en i t out of a bum ble BEES' ne st on the

t ip pi ty t op o f t he h il l.

B ut N ut ki n s ki pp ed u p and d ow n, s in gi ng --

" H um -a -bu m! b uz z! b uz z! H um -a -b um b uz z! A s I w en t o ve r T ip pl e- ti ne I m et a f lo ck o f b on ny s wi ne ;S om e y el lo w- na ck ed , s om e y el lo w b ac ke d! T he y w er e t he v er y b on ni es t s wi ne T ha t e 'e r w en t o ve r t he

Tipple-tine. "

O ld M r. B ro wn t ur ne d u p h is e ye s i n d is gu st a t t he i mp er ti ne nc e o f N ut ki n.

Bu t he a te up t he hone y!

The squirrels filled their little sacks with nuts.

B ut N ut ki n s at u po n a b ig f la t r oc k, a nd p la ye d n in ep in s w it h a c ra b a pp le a nd g re en f ir -c on es .

O n t he s ixt h d ay , w hi ch w as S at ur da y, t he s qu ir re ls c am e a ga in f or t he l as t t im e; t he y b ro ug ht a n ew -l ai d

EG G i n a l it tl e r us h b as ke t a s a l as t pa rt ing pr es en t f or Ol d Br ow n.

But Nutkin ran in front laughing, and shouting--

" H um pt y D um pt y l ie s i n t he b ec k, W it h a w hi te c ou nt er pa ne r ou nd h is n ec k, F or ty d oc to rs a nd f or ty

w ri gh ts , C an no t p ut H um pt y D um pt y t o r ig ht s! "

Now old Mr. Brown took an interest in eggs; he opened one eye and shut it again. But still he did not

speak.

Nutkin became more and more impertinent--

" O ld M r. B! O ld M r. B ! H ic ka mo re , Ha ck am or e, on t he K in g' s ki tc he n d oo r; A ll t he K ing 's h or se s, a nd

all t he K in g' s m en , C ou ld n' t d ri ve H ickamo re, H ackamo re, O ff t he K in g' s k it ch en d oo r! "

Nutkin danced up and down like a SUNBEAM; but still Old Brown said nothing at all.

Nutkin began again--

" A ut hu r O 'B ow er h as b ro ke n h is b an d, H e c om es r oa ri ng u p t he l an d! T he K in g o f S co ts w it h a ll h is

power, Cannot turn Arthur of the Bower! "

Nutkin made a whirring noise to sound like the WIND, and he took a running jump right onto the head of

Old Brown! . . .

The n a ll a t onc e t he re w as a f lut te rme nt a nd a s cuff le me nt a nd a loud " Sque ak! "

T he o th er s qu ir rel s s cut tered away i nt o t he b us hes.

W he n t he y c am e b ac k v er y c au ti ou sl y, p ee pi ng r ou nd t he t re e- - t he re w as O ld B ro wn s it ti ng o n h is

d oo r- st ep , q ui te s ti ll , w it h h is eyes clo sed, as i f n ot hi ng h ad h ap pened.

P a g e 1 1



* * * * * * * *

B UT N UT KI N W AS I N H IS W AI ST CO AT P OC KE T!

Thi s l ooks l ike t he e nd o f the s tor y; but it is n' t.

O ld B ro wn c ar ri ed N ut ki n i nt o hi s h ou se , a nd he ld hi m u p by t he t ai l, i nt end in g t o s ki n hi m; b ut N ut ki n pulled so very hard that his tail broke in two, and he dashed up the staircase, and escaped out of the attic

window.

And t o t hi s da y, i f you me et N ut ki n up a t re e a nd a sk hi m a r iddl e, he wi ll th ro w s ti cks a t you, a nd s ta mp

h is f ee t a nd s co ld , a nd s ho ut --

" C u ck - cuck - cu ck- cu r- r - r- cu ck - k! "

THE TALE OF BENJAMINB U N N Y

[ Fo r t he C hi ld re n o f S aw re y f ro m O ld M r. B un ny ]

One mo rn ing a l it tl e r abbi t s at on a ba nk.

H e p ri ck ed h is e ar s a nd l is te ne d t o t he t ri t- tr ot , t ri t- tr ot o f a p on y.

A gi g wa s c omi ng a long t he r oa d; i t wa s dr ive n by M r. Mc Gr egor , a nd be si de hi m s at M rs . Mc Gr egor i n

h er b es t b on ne t.

A s s oo n a s t he y h ad p as se d, l it tl e B en ja mi n B un ny s li d d ow n i nt o t he r oa d, a nd s et o ff -- wi th a h op , s ki p,

a nd a j ump -- to c al l up on h is r el at ion s, wh o l iv ed i n t he w ood a t t he b ac k of M r. Mc Gr ego r' s ga rde n.

T ha t w ood w as f ul l o f r abb it h ol es ; a nd i n t he n ea te st , s an di es t h ol e o f a ll l iv ed B en ja mi n' s a unt a nd h is

cousins--Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail, and Peter.

O ld M rs . R ab bi t w as a w id ow ; s he ear ned h er l iv in g b y k ni tt in g r ab bi t- wo ol m it tens and m uf fatees ( Io nc e b ou gh t a p ai r a t a b az aa r) . S he a ls o s ol d h er bs , a nd r os em ar y t ea , a nd r ab bi t- tob ac co ( wh ic h i s

w hat w e cal l l av en der) .

L it tl e Be nj am in d id no t v er y m uc h w ant t o s ee hi s A unt .

H e c am e r ou nd t he ba ck of t he f ir - t re e, a nd ne ar ly t umb le d u po n t he t op of hi s C ou si n P et er .

P et er w as s it ti ng b y h im se lf . H e l oo ke d p oo rl y, a nd w as d re ss ed i n a r ed c ot to n p oc ke t- ha nd ke rc hi ef .

" P et er , " s ai d l it tl e B en ja mi n, i n a w hi sp er , " w ho h as g ot yo ur c lo th es ? "

P et er r ep li ed, " T he s ca re cr ow i n M r. M cG re go r' s ga rd en , " a nd d es cr ibe d ho w h e h ad b ee n c ha se d

P a g e 1 2



a bo ut t he g ar de n, a nd h ad d ro pp ed h is s ho es a nd c oa t.

L it tl e B en ja mi n s at d ow n b es id e h is c ou si n a nd a ss ur ed h im t ha t M r. M cG re go r h ad g on e o ut i n a g ig ,

a nd M rs . M cG re go r a ls o; a nd c er ta in ly f or t he d ay , b ec au se s he w as w ea ri ng h er b es t b on ne t.

Pe te r s ai d he h op ed t ha t i t wo ul d r ai n.

A t t hi s p oi nt o ld M rs . R ab bi t' s v oi ce w as h eard i ns id e t he r ab bi t h ol e, cal li ng : " C ot to n- tail ! C ot to n- tail !

f et ch s om e m or e cam om il e! "

Pe ter s ai d he t hought he mi ght f ee l be tt er i f he we nt for a w al k.

The y w ent a wa y ha nd i n ha nd, a nd go t up on t he f la t t op of t he w al l a t t he bot tom of t he wood . Fr om

h er e t he y l oo ke d d ow n i nt o M r. M cG re go r' s g ar de n. P et er 's c oa t a nd s ho es w er e p la in ly t o b e s ee n

u po n t he s ca re cr ow , t op pe d w it h a n o ld t am -o '- sh an te r o f M r. M cG re go r' s.

Li tt le Be nj am in s ai d: " I t s poi ls pe opl e' s c lot he s t o s qu ee ze u nde r a ga te ; t he pr ope r w ay t o ge t i n i s t oc li mb d ow n a p ea r- tr ee . "

Pe te r f el l do wn he ad f ir st ; bu t i t wa s of n o c on se que nc e, a s t he b ed be low wa s ne wl y r ake d a nd qui te

soft.

I t h ad b ee n s ow n w it h l et tu ce s.

T hey l ef t a g reat m an y o dd l it tl e f oo tm ar ks all o ver t he b ed , esp eciall y l it tl e B en jami n, w ho w as w eari ng

clogs.

L it tl e B en ja mi n s ai d t ha t t he f ir st t hi ng t o b e d on e w as t o g et b ac k P et er 's c lo th es , i n o rd er t ha t t he y m ig ht be able to use the pocket- handkerchief.

T he y t oo k t he m o ff t he s ca re cr ow . T he re h ad b ee n r ai n d ur in g t he n ig ht ; t he re w as w at er i n t he s ho es ,

a nd t he c oa t w as s om ew ha t s hr un k.

B en ja mi n t ri ed o n t he t am -o '- s ha nt er , b ut i t w as t oo b ig f or h im .

T hen h e s ug gest ed t hat t hey s ho ul d f il l t he p ocket- hand kerchi ef w it h o ni on s, as a l it tl e p resent f or h is

Aunt.

P et er d id n ot s ee m t o b e e nj oy in g h im se lf ; h e k ep t h ea ri ng n oi se s.

Be nj ami n, on t he c ont ra ry, w as pe rf ec tl y a t home , a nd a te a l ett uc e l ea f. H e s ai d t ha t he w as i n t he ha bi t

o f c om ing t o t he g ar de n w it h hi s f at he r t o g et l et tu ce s f or t he ir S un da y di nn er .

( Th e n am e o f l it tl e B en jami n' s p ap a w as o ld M r. B en jami n B un ny .)

The lettuces certainly were very fine.

P et er d id n ot e at a ny th in g; h e s ai d h e s ho ul d l ik e t o g o h om e. P re se nt ly h e d ro pp ed h al f t he o ni on s.

Li tt le Be nj am in s ai d t ha t i t w as not po ss ib le t o ge t ba ck u p t he pe ar -t re e w it h a l oa d of ve ge ta bl es . He

l ed t he wa y bol dl y t owa rd s t he ot he r e nd of t he ga rd en. The y we nt a long a l it tl e wa lk on pl anks , und er a

P a g e 1 3



s un ny , r ed b ri ck w al l.

T he m ice s at o n t heir d oo rs teps crack in g cherr y- st on es ; t hey w in ked at P et er R ab bi t and l it tl e B en jami n

Bunny.

P resent ly P et er l et t he p ocket - h an dk er ch ief g o again .

T he y g ot a mo ng st f lo we r- po ts , a nd f ra me s, a nd t ub s. P et er h ea rd n oi se s w or se t ha n e ve r; h is e ye s w er e

as b ig as l ol ly -p op s!

He w as a s te p o r t wo i n f ro nt of hi s c ous in w he n h e s udd enl y s topp ed.

T hi s i s w ha t t ho se l it tl e r ab bi ts s aw r ou nd t ha t c or ne r!

L it tl e B en ja mi n t oo k on e l oo k, a nd t he n, i n ha lf a m inu te l es s t ha n n o t im e, he h id hi ms el f a nd Pe te r a nd

t he o ni ons u nd er ne at h a l ar ge b as ke t. . . .

T he c at g ot u p a nd s tr et ch ed h er se lf , a nd c am e a nd s ni ff ed a t t he b as ke t.

P er haps s he l ik ed t he s mell o f o ni on s!

A nyw ay, s he s at d ow n u pon t he t op o f t he b as ke t.

S he s at t he re f or F IV E H OU RS .

I c an no t d ra w y ou a p ic tu re o f P et er a nd B en ja mi n u nd er ne at h t he b as ke t, b ec au se i t w as q ui te d ar k, a nd

because the smell of onions was fearful; it made Peter Rabbit and little Benjamin cry.

The s un got r oun d be hi nd t he wood, a nd i t wa s qui te l at e i n t he a ft er noon; but s ti ll t he c at s at upon t he

basket.

A t l en gt h t he re w as a p it te r- pa tt er , p it te r- pa tt er , a nd s om e b it s o f m or ta r f el l f ro m t he w al l a bo ve .

The c at l ooke d up a nd s aw old Mr . Be nj ami n Bunny pr anc ing a long t he t op of t he w all of t he uppe r

terrace.

He w as s mok ing a pi pe of r abb it - t oba cc o, a nd ha d a l it tl e s wi tc h i n hi s ha nd .

H e w as l oo ki ng f or h is s on .

Ol d M r. B unny ha d no opi ni on w ha te ve r of c at s. H e t oo k a t re me ndous j ump of f t he t op of t he wa ll on

t o t he t op of t he c at , a nd c uf fe d i t of f t he ba ske t, a nd k ic ke d i t i nt o t he gr ee nho us e, s cr at chi ng of f a

handful of fur.

T he c at w as t oo m uc h s ur pr is ed t o s cr at ch b ac k.

W he n o ld M r. B un ny h ad d ri ve n t he c at i nt o t he g re en ho us e, h e l oc ke d t he d oo r.

Th en he c am e b ac k t o t he ba sk et a nd t ook ou t h is s on Be nj ami n b y t he e ar s, a nd whi ppe d hi m w it h t he

little switch.

P a g e 1 4



T he n he t oo k ou t hi s ne ph ew Pe te r.

T he n h e t oo k o ut t he h an dk er ch ie f o f o ni on s, a nd m ar ch ed o ut o f t he g ar de n.

W hen M r. M cG rego r r et ur ned abo ut h al f an h ou r l at er h e o bs er ved s ev er al t hi ng s w hi ch p er pl ex ed h im .

I t l oo ke d a s t ho ug h s om e p er so n h ad b ee n w al ki ng a ll o ve r t he g ar de n i n a p ai r o f c lo gs -- on ly t hefootmarks were too ridiculously little!

A ls o h e c ou ld n ot u nd er st an d h ow t he c at c ou ld h av e m an ag ed t o s hu t h er se lf u p I NS ID E t he

g reenh ou se, l ocki ng t he d oo r u po n t he O UT SI DE .

W he n Pe te r g ot h ome hi s mot he r f or ga ve hi m, be ca us e s he wa s s o gl ad t o s ee t ha t he ha d f ound hi s

s ho es a nd c oa t. C ot to n- ta il a nd P et er f ol de d u p t he p oc ke t- ha nd ke rc hi ef , a nd o ld M rs . R ab bi t s tr un g u p

t he o ni on s a nd h un g t he m f ro m t he k it ch en c ei li ng , w it h t he b en ch es o f h er bs a nd t he r ab bi t- t ob ac co .

THE TALE OF TWO BAD

MICE[ Fo r W .M .L .W ., t he L it tl e G ir l W ho H ad t he D ol l' s H ou se ]

O nc e u po n a t im e t he re w as a v er y b ea ut if ul d ol l' s- ho us e; i t w as r ed b ri ck w it h w hi te w in do ws , a nd i t

h ad r ea l m us li n c ur ta in s a nd a f ron t d oo r a nd a c hi mn ey .

I t b el on ge d t o t wo D ol ls c al le d L uc in da a nd J an e; a t l ea st i t b el on ge d t o L uc in da , b ut s he n ev er o rd er ed

meals.

J an e w as t he C oo k; b ut s he n ev er d id a ny c oo ki ng , b ec au se t he d in ne r h ad b ee n b ou gh t r ea dy -m ad e, i n

a b ox f ul l o f s havi ng s.

T he re w er e t wo r ed l ob st er s a nd a h am , a f is h, a p udd ing , a nd s om e p ea rs a nd or an ge s.

T hey w ou ld n ot com e o ff t he p lates, b ut t hey w er e ext remely b eaut if ul .

O ne m or ni ng L uc in da a nd J an e h ad g on e o ut f or a d ri ve i n t he d ol l' s p er am bu la to r. T he re w as n o o ne i n

t he n ur sery , and i t w as v er y q ui et . P resent ly t here w as a l it tl e s cu ff li ng , s cr at ch in g n oi se i n a cor ner n ear

t he f i repl ace, w here t here w as a h ol e u nd er t he s ki rt i ng -b oar d.

Tom Thum b put out hi s he ad f or a mome nt , a nd t he n poppe d i t in a ga in. Tom Thumb wa s a mous e.

A m inut e a ft er wa rd s, Hu nc a Mu nc a, h is wi fe , p ut he r he ad ou t, t oo ; a nd w he n s he s aw t ha t t he re w as no

o ne i n t he n ur se ry , s he v en tu re d o ut o n t he o il cl ot h u nd er t he c oa l- bo x.

T he d ol l' s- ho us e s to od a t t he o th er s id e o f t he f ir e- pl ac e. T om T hu mb a nd H un ca M un ca w en t c au ti ou sl ya cr os s t he h ea rt hr ug . T he y p us he d t he f ro nt d oo r- -i t w as n ot f as t.

P a g e 1 5



T om T hu mb and H un ca M un ca w en t u ps tair s and p eeped i nt o t he d in in g- ro om . T hen t hey s qu eaked w it h

joy!

S uc h a l ov el y d in ne r w as l ai d o ut u po n t he t ab le ! T he re w er e t in s po on s, a nd l ea d k ni ve s a nd f or ks , a nd

two dolly-chairs--all SO convenient!

To m Thum b s et t o w or k a t on ce t o c ar ve t he h am. I t wa s a be aut if ul s hi ny ye ll ow , s tr ea ke d w it h r ed.

T he k ni fe cru mp led u p and h ur t h im ; h e p ut h is f in ger i n h is m ou th .

" I t i s not boi le d e nough; i t i s ha rd. You ha ve a t ry, Hunc a Munc a. "

H un ca M un ca s to od u p i n h er c ha ir , a nd c ho pp ed a t t he h am w it h a no th er l ea d k ni fe .

" I t' s a s ha rd a s t he h am s a t t he c he es em on ge r' s, " s ai d Hu nc a Mu nc a.

Th e ha m b roke o ff t he pl at e w it h a j er k, a nd r ol le d un de r t he t abl e.

" Le t it al one, " s aid Tom Thumb; " give me some f ish, Hunca Munc a! "

H un ca M un ca t ri ed e ve ry t in s po on i n t ur n; t he f is h w as g lue d t o t he d is h.

T he n T om Th um b l os t h is t em pe r. H e p ut t he h am i n t he m id dl e of t he f lo or , a nd h it i t wi th t he t on gs a nd

with the shovel--bang, bang, smash, smash!

T he h am f le w a ll i nt o p ie ce s, f or u nde rn ea th t he s hi ny p ai nt i t w as m ad e o f no th ing b ut pl as te r!

T he n t he re w as n o e nd t o t he r ag e a nd d is ap po in tm en t o f T om T hu mb a nd H un ca M un ca . T he y b ro keu p t he p ud di ng , t he l ob st er s, t he p ea rs a nd t he o ra ng es .

A s t he f is h w oul d n ot c om e o ff t he p la te , t he y p ut i t i nt o t he r ed -h ot c ri nk ly p ape r f ir e i n t he k it ch en ; bu t i t

w ou ld n ot b ur n eit her.

To m T hum b w en t u p t he k it ch en c hi mne y a nd l ook ed ou t a t t he t op- - t he re wa s n o s oot .

W hi le T om T hu mb w as u p t he chi mn ey , H un ca M un ca h ad ano th er d is ap po in tm en t. S he f ou nd s om e t in y

cani s ter s u po n t h e d res ser , l abel led- - R i ce- -C of f ee- -S ago - -b ut w hen s he t ur n ed t hem u ps i de d ow n,

t he re w as n ot hi ng i ns id e e xc ep t r ed a nd b lu e b ea ds .

T he n t ho se m ic e s et t o w or k t o d o a ll t he m is ch ie f t he y c ou ld -- es pe ci al ly T om T hu mb ! H e t oo k J an e' s

c lo the s o ut of t he c he st of dr awe rs i n h er be dr oom , a nd he t hr ew t he m out of t he t op f lo or wi ndow .

B ut H un ca M un ca h ad a f ru gal m in d. A ft er p ul li ng h al f t he f eath er s o ut o f L ucin da's b ol st er , s he

r em em be re d t ha t s he h er se lf w as i n w an t o f a f ea th er b ed .

W it h T om T hu mb s' s as si s tance s he car r ied t he b ol st er d ow ns t ai rs , and acr os s t he h ear th -r ug . I t w as

d if fi cu lt t o s qu eeze t he b ol st er i nt o t he m ou se- h ol e; b ut t hey m an ag ed i t s om eh ow .

T he n H unc a M unc a w en t ba ck a nd f et ch ed a c ha ir , a b oo k- ca se , a bi rd- c ag e, a nd s ev er al s ma ll o dd s

a nd e nd s. T he b ook -c as e a nd t he b ir d- c age r ef us ed t o g o i nt o t he m ous eh ol e.

P a g e 1 6



H un ca M un ca l ef t t he m b eh in d t he c oa l- bo x, a nd w en t t o f et ch a c ra dl e.

H un ca M un ca w as j us t r et ur ni ng w it h ano th er chair , w hen s ud denl y t here w as a n oi se o f t al ki ng o ut si de

u po n t he l an di ng . T he m ic e r us he d b ac k t o t he ir h ol e, a nd t he d ol ls c am e i nt o t he n ur se ry .

W ha t a s ight m et t he e ye s of J an e a nd Luc inda ! Lu ci nd a s at u pon t he up se t ki tc he n s tov e a nd s ta re d; a nd

J an e l eant again st t he k it ch en d res ser and s mi led- -b ut n ei th er o f t hem m ad e any r em ar k.

T he b oo k- ca se a nd t he b ir d- ca ge w er e r es cu ed f ro m u nd er t he c oa l- b ox -- bu t H un ca M un ca h as g ot t he

cr ad le, and s om e o f L ucin da' s clo th es .

S he a ls o h as s om e u se fu l p ot s a nd p an s, a nd s ev er al o th er t hi ng s.

T he l it tl e g ir l t ha t t he d ol l' s- ho us e b el on ge d t o, s ai d, -- " I w il l g et a d ol l d re ss ed l ik e a p ol ic em an ! "

Bu t t he nu rs e s ai d,- - " I w il l s et a m ous e- tr ap ! "

So t ha t i s t he s tor y of t he t wo B ad M ic e, -- but t he y we re not s o v er y v er y na ugh ty a ft er a ll , b ec aus e T om

T hu mb p ai d f or every th in g h e b ro ke.

H e f ou nd a c ro ok ed s ix pe nc e u nd er t he h ea rt h- ru g; a nd u po n C hr is tm as E ve , h e a nd H un ca M un ca

s tuf fe d i t i nt o o ne o f t he s to ck in gs of L uc in da a nd J an e.

A nd v er y earl y every m or ni ng -- b ef or e any bo dy i s awake-- Hu nca M un ca com es w it h h er d us t -p an and

h er b ro om t o s we ep t he D ol li es ' h ou se !

THE TALE OF MRS.TIGGY-WINKLE

[ Fo r t he R eal L it tl e L ucie o f N ew land s]

O nc e u po n a t im e t he re w as a l it tl e g ir l c al le d L uc ie , w ho l iv ed a t a f ar m c al le d L it tl e- to wn . S he w as a

good little girl--only she was always losing her pocket-handkerchiefs!

O ne d ay l it tl e L uc ie c am e i nt o t he f ar m- ya rd c ry in g- -o h, s he d id c ry s o! " I 'v e l os t m y p oc ke t- ha nd ki n!

T hr ee h an dk in s a nd a p in ny ! H av e Y OU s ee n t he m, T ab by K it te n? "

T he K it te n w en t o n w as hi ng h er w hi te p aw s; s o L uc ie a sk ed a s pe ck le d h en --

" S al ly H en ny -p en ny , h av e Y OU f ou nd t hr ee p ocket- hand ki ns ? "

B ut t he s pe ck le d h en r an i nt o a b ar n, c lu ck in g- -

" I g o b ar ef oo t, b ar ef oo t, b ar ef oo t! "

A nd t he n L uc ie a sk ed C oc k R ob in s it ti ng o n a t wi g. C oc k R ob in l oo ke d s id ew ay s a t L uc ie w it h h is

P a g e 1 7



bright black eye, and he flew over a stile and away.

L ucie cli mb ed u po n t he s ti le and l oo ked u p at t he h il l b eh in d L it tl e- t ow n- -a h il l t hat g oes u p- -u p- -i nt o

t he c lo uds a s t ho ugh i t ha d no t op!

A nd a g re at w ay u p t he h il ls id e s he t ho ug ht s he s aw s om e w hi te t hi ng s s pr ea d u po n t he g ra ss .

L uc ie s cr am bl ed u p t he h il l a s f as t a s h er s ho rt l eg s w ou ld c ar ry h er ; s he r an a lo ng a s te ep p at h- wa y- -u p

a nd u p- -u nt il L it tl e- to wn w as r ig ht a wa y d ow n b el ow -- sh e c ou ld h av e d ro pp ed a p eb bl e d ow n t he

chimney!

P resent ly s he cam e t o a s pr in g, b ub bl in g o ut f ro m t he h il ls id e.

S om e on e h ad s too d a t in c an up on a s to ne t o c at ch t he w at er -- bu t t he w at er w as a lr ea dy r un ni ng o ve r,

f or t he c an w as n o b ig ge r t ha n a n e gg - c up ! A nd wh er e t he s an d u po n t he pa th wa s w et -- th er e w er e

f oo tm ar ks o f a V ER Y s mall p er so n.

Lu ci e r an o n, a nd o n.

T he p at h e nd ed u nde r a bi g r oc k. Th e g ra ss w as s ho rt a nd gr ee n, a nd t he re w er e c lo th es -pr op s c ut f ro m

bracken stems, with lines of plaited rushes, and a heap of tiny clothes pins--but no

pocket-handkerchiefs!

B ut t here w as s om et hi ng els e- -a d oo r! s tr ai gh t i nt o t he h il l; and i ns id e i t s om e o ne w as s in gi ng --

" L il y- wh it e a nd c le an , o h! W it h l it tl e f ri ll s b et we en , o h! S mo ot h a nd h ot -r ed r us ty s po t N ev er h er e b e

s ee n, oh ! "

L ucie k no ck ed -o nce- tw ice, and i nt er ru pt ed t he s on g. A l it tl e f ri gh tened v oi ce call ed o ut " W ho 's t hat? "

L uc ie o pe ne d t he d oo r: a nd w ha t d o y ou t hi nk t he re w as i ns id e t he h il l? -- a n ic e c le an k it ch en w it h a

f la gg ed f lo or a nd w oo de n b ea ms -- j us t l ik e a ny o th er f ar m k it ch en . O nl y t he c ei li ng w as s o l ow t ha t

L uc ie 's h ea d n ea rl y t ou ch ed i t; a nd t he p ot s a nd p an s w er e s ma ll , a nd s o w as e ve ry th in g t he re .

The re wa s a ni ce hot s inge y s me ll ; a nd a t t he ta ble , wi th a n i ron i n he r ha nd , s tood a ve ry s to ut s hor t

person staring anxiously at Lucie.

H er p ri nt g ow n w as t uc ke d u p, a nd s he w as w ea ri ng a l ar ge a pr on o ve r h er s tr ip ed p et ti co at . H er l it tl e black nose went sniffle, sniffle, snuffle, and her eyes went twinkle, twinkle; and underneath her cap-where

L ucie h ad y el lo w cur ls -t hat l it tl e p er so n h ad P RI CK LE S!

" W ho a re you? " s ai d L uc ie . " Ha ve you s ee n m y po cke t- ha ndki ns ? "

T he l it tl e p er so n m ad e a b ob - c ur ts ey -- " O h y es , i f y ou p le as e' m; m y n am e i s M rs . T ig gy -w in kl e; o h y es

i f y ou p le as e' m, I 'm a n e xc el le nt c le ar - s ta rc he r! " A nd s he t oo k s om et hi ng o ut o f t he c lo th es ba sk et , a nd

s pr ead i t o n t he i ro ni ng -b lank et .

" W ha t' s t ha t t hi ng ? " s ai d L uc ie - " t ha t' s n ot m y p oc ke t- ha nd ki n? "

" O h n o, i f y ou p le as e' m; t ha t' s a l it tl e s ca rl et w ai st -c oa t b el on gi ng t o C oc k R ob in ! "

P a g e 1 8



An d s he i ron ed i t a nd f ol de d i t, a nd p ut i t o n one s ide .

T he n s he t oo k s om et hi ng e ls e o ff a c lo th es -h or se -- " T ha t i sn 't m y p inn y? " s ai d L uc ie .

" O h n o, i f y ou p le as e' m; t ha t' s a d am as k t ab le -c lo th b el on gi ng t o J en ny W re n; l oo k h ow i t' s s ta in ed w it h

c ur ra nt w in e! I t' s v er y b ad t o w as h! " s ai d M rs . T ig gy -w in kl e.

Mrs. Tiggy-winkle's nose went sniffle sniffle snuffle, and her eyes went twinkle twinkle; and she fetched

ano th er h ot i ro n f ro m t he f ir e.

" T he re 's o ne o f m y p oc ke t- h an dk in s! " c ri ed L uc ie -- " a nd t he re 's m y p in ny ! "

M rs . T ig gy -w in kl e i ro ned i t, and g of fered i t, and s ho ok o ut t he f ri ll s.

" Oh t ha t I S l ove ly! " sa id Luc ie .

" A nd w hat are t ho se l on g y el lo w t hi ng s w it h f in gers l ik e g lo ves? "

" O h t ha t' s a p ai r o f s to ck in gs b el on gi ng t o S al ly H en ny -p en ny -- lo ok h ow s he 's w or n t he h ee ls o ut w it h

s cr at ch in g i n t he y ar d! S he'l l v er y s oo n g o b ar ef oo t! " s ai d M rs . T ig gy -w in kl e.

" W hy , t he re 's a no th er h an ke rs ni ff -- b ut i t i sn 't m in e; i t' s r ed ? "

" O h n o, i f y ou p le as e' m; t ha t on e be lo ngs t o o ld M rs . Ra bbi t; a nd i t DI D s o s me ll o f on ions ! I 've ha d t o

w as h i t s ep ar at el y, I c an 't g et o ut t ha t s me ll . "

" T he re 's a no the r o ne o f m in e, " s ai d L uc ie .

" W hat are t ho se f un ny l it tl e w hi te t hi ng s? "

" T ha t' s a pa ir o f m it te ns b el on gi ng t o T ab by K it te n; I o nl y h av e t o i ron t he m; s he w as he s t he m h er se lf . "

" T here's m y l as t p ocket- hand ki n! " s ai d L ucie.

" And what a re you dippi ng int o t he ba si n of st ar ch? "

" They're little dicky shirt-fronts belonging to Tom Titmouse--most terrible particular! " said Mrs. Tiggy-

w in kl e. " N ow I 'v e f in is hed m y i ro ni ng ; I 'm g oi ng t o air s om e clo th es . "

" W ha t a re t he se de ar s of t f lu ff y t hi ngs ? " s ai d L uc ie .

" O h t ho se a re w ool ly c oa ts b el on gi ng t o t he l it tl e l am bs a t S ke lg hy l. "

" W il l t he ir j ac ke ts t ak e o ff ? " a sk ed L uc ie .

" Oh ye s, i f you pl ea se 'm ; l ook a t t he s he ep- ma rk o n t he s houl de r. A nd he re 's o ne m ar ke d f or

G at esg ar th , and t hr ee t hat com e f ro m L it tl e- to wn . T hey' re A LW AY S m ar ked at w as hi ng ! " s aid M rs .

Tiggy-winkle.

A nd s he h un g u p a ll s or ts a nd s iz es o f c lo th es -- sm al l b ro wn c oa ts o f m ic e; a nd o ne v el ve ty b la ck

m ol es ki n w ai st -coat; and a r ed t ai l- co at w it h n o t ai l b el on gi ng t o S qu ir rel N ut ki n; and a v er y m uch s hr un k

P a g e 1 9



blue jacket belonging to Peter Rabbit; and a petticoat, not marked, that had gone lost in the

w as hi ng -- an d a t l as t t he b as ke t w as e mp ty !

Th en M rs . T iggy- wi nkl e ma de t ea -- a c up f or h er se lf a nd a c up f or L uc ie . Th ey s at b ef or e t he f ir e o n a

bench and looked sideways at one another. Mrs. Tiggy-winkle's hand, holding the tea-cup, was very

v er y b ro wn , a nd v er y v er y w ri nk ly w it h t he s oa p- su ds ; a nd a ll t hr ou gh h er g ow n a nd h er c ap , t he re w er e

H AI RP IN S s ti ck in g w ro ng e nd o ut ; s o t ha t L uc ie d id n' t l ik e t o s it t oo n ea r h er .

W hen t hey h ad f in is hed t ea, t hey t ied u p t he clo th es i n b un dl es ; and L ucie's p ocket- hand kerchi ef s w er e

f ol ded u p i ns id e h er clean p in ny , and f as tened w it h a s il ver s af et y- pi n.

An d t he n t he y ma de u p t he f ir e wi th t ur f, a nd c am e o ut a nd l oc ke d t he doo r, a nd hi d t he ke y un de r t he

door-sill.

T hen away d ow n t he h il l t ro tt ed L ucie and M rs . T ig gy -w in kl e w it h t he b un dl es o f clo th es !

A ll t he w ay d own t he pa th l it tl e a ni ma ls c am e o ut o f t he f er n t o m ee t t he m; t he v er y f ir st t ha t t he y m etw er e P et er R ab bi t and B en jami n B un ny !

A nd s he g av e t he m t he ir n ic e c le an c lo th es ; a nd a ll t he l it tl e a ni ma ls a nd bi rd s we re s o v er y m uc h o bl ig ed

to dear Mrs. Tiggy-winkle.

S o t ha t a t t he b ot to m o f t he h il l w he n t he y c am e t o t he s ti le , t he re w as n ot hi ng l ef t t o c ar ry e xc ep t L uc ie 's

one little bundle.

L uc ie s cr am bl ed u p t he s ti le w it h t he b un dl e i n h er h an d; a nd t he n s he t ur ne d t o s ay " G oo d- ni gh t, " a nd

t o t hank t he w as her- wo man. -- Bu t w hat a V ER Y o dd t hi ng ! M rs . T ig gy -w in kl e h ad n ot w ai ted eit her f or

t hank s o r f or t he w as hi ng b il l!

S he w as r un ni ng r un ni ng r un ni ng u p t he h il l- -and w here w as h er w hi te f ri ll ed cap ? and h er s hawl ? and h er

gown-and her petticoat?

A nd H OW s ma ll s he h ad g ro wn -- a nd H OW b ro wn -- an d c ov er ed w it h P RI CK LE S!

W hy! Mr s. T iggy -wi nk le w as not hi ng b ut a HE DG EHO G! * * * * * *

( No w s om e p eo pl e s ay t ha t l it tl e L uc ie h ad b ee n a sl ee p u po n t he s ti le -- bu t t he n h ow c ou ld s he h av e

f ou nd t hr ee clean p ocket- hand ki ns and a p in ny , p in ned w it h a s il ver s af et y- pi n?

A nd be si de s- -I ha ve s ee n t ha t d oo r i nt o t he ba ck o f t he h il l c al le d C at B el ls -- and b es id es _ I_ a m ve ry

well acquainted with dear Mrs. Tiggy-winkle!)

THE PIE AND THE

PATTY-PANP us sy -c at s it s b y t he f ir e- -h ow s ho ul d s he b e f ai r? I n w al ks t he l it tl e d og -- sa ys " P us sy a re y ou t he re ?

P a g e 2 0



Ho w do yo u d o Mi st re ss P us sy ? M is tr es s Pus sy, h ow do yo u do? " " I t ha nk you ki ndl y, l it tl e do g, I f ar e

a s we ll a s you! " _Ol d Rhyme ]

O nc e u po n a t im e t he re w as a P us sy -c at c al le d R ib by , w ho i nv it ed a l it tl e d og c al le d D uc he ss t o t ea .

" C om e i n g oo d t im e, m y d ea r D uc he ss , " s ai d R ib by 's l et te r, " a nd w e w il l h av e s om et hi ng s o v er y n ic e. I

a m b ak in g i t i n a p ie -d is h- -a p ie -d is h w it h a p in k r im . Y ou n ev er t as te d a ny th in g s o g oo d! A nd Y OUs ha ll e at i t a ll ! _I _ w il l e at mu ff in s, m y de ar D uc he ss ! " w ro te R ibb y.

" I wi ll c ome ve ry pun ct ua ll y, m y d ea r R ibby, " wr ot e Duc he ss ; a nd t he n a t t he e nd s he a dde d- - " I hop e

i t i sn 't m ous e? "

And t he n s he t hought t ha t di d not l ook qui te pol it e; s o s he s cr atc he d out " i sn' t m ous e " a nd c ha nge d i t t o

" I hope it will be fine, " and she gave her letter to the postman.

B ut s he t ho ug ht a g re at d ea l a bo ut R ib by 's p ie , a nd s he r ea d R ib by 's l et te r o ve r a nd o ve r a ga in .

" I a m d re ad fu ll y a fr ai d i t W IL L b e m ou se ! " s ai d D uc he ss t o h er se lf -- " I r ea ll y c ou ld n' t, C OU LD N' T

ea t mouse pie. And I s hall have t o eat it , be cause it is a pa rty. And MY pie was going to be veal and

h am . A p in k a nd w hi te p ie -d is h! a nd s o i s m in e; j us t l ik e R ib by 's d is he s; t he y w er e b ot h b ou gh t a t

Tabitha Twitchit's. "

D uc he ss we nt i nt o h er l ar de r a nd t oo k t he pi e o ff a s he lf a nd l oo ke d a t i t.

" O h w ha t a g oo d i de a! W hy s ho ul dn 't I r us h a lon g a nd p ut m y p ie i nt o R ib by' s o ve n w he n R ib by i sn 't

t here? "

R ib by i n t he m ea nt im e h ad r ec ei ve d D uc he ss 's a ns we r, a nd a s s oo n a s s he w as s ur e t ha t t he l it tl e d ogw ou ld c om e- -s he p op pe d H ER p ie i nt o t he o ve n. T he re w er e t wo o ve ns , o ne a bo ve t he o th er ; s om e

o th er k no bs a nd h an dl es w er e o nl y o rn am en ta l a nd n ot i nt en de d t o o pe n. R ib by p ut t he p ie i nt o t he l ow er

o ve n; t he d oo r w as v er y s ti ff .

" T he t op ove n ba ke s t oo q ui ckl y, " s ai d R ibby t o he rs el f.

Ri bby put on some coa l and swe pt up the hearth. The n she we nt out with a can to the well, f or wat er t o

f il l u p t he k et tl e.

The n s he be ga n t o s et t he r oom i n or de r, f or i t w as t he s it ti ng- room a s we ll a s t he k it che n.

Whe n Ri bby ha d l ai d t he t abl e s he we nt out down t he f ie ld to t he f arm , t o fe tc h m ilk a nd but te r.

W he n s he c am e b ac k, s he p ee pe d i nt o t he b ot to m o ve n; t he p ie l oo ke d v er y c om fo rt ab le .

Ri bby put on he r s ha wl a nd b onne t a nd w ent ou t a ga in wi th a ba ske t, t o t he vi ll age s ho p t o b uy a p ac ke t

of t ea , a p ou nd o f l um p s ug ar , a nd a pot o f m ar ma la de .

And j us t a t t he s am e t ime , Du che ss c am e out of HE R hou se , a t t he ot he r e nd o f t he vi ll age .

R ib by m et D uc he ss h al f- wa y d ow n t he s tr ee t, a ls o c ar ry in g a b as ke t, c ov er ed w it h a c lo th . T he y o nl y

bowed to one another; they did not speak, because they were going to have a party.

P a g e 2 1



A s s oo n a s D uc he ss h ad g ot r ou nd t he c or ne r o ut o f s ig ht -- sh e s im pl y r an ! S tr ai gh t a wa y t o R ib by 's

house!

R ib by w en t i nt o t he s ho p a nd b ou gh t w ha t s he r eq ui re d, a nd c am e o ut , a ft er a p le as an t g os si p w it h

Cousin Tabitha Twitchit.

R ib by w en t o n t o T im ot hy B ak er 's and b ou gh t t he m uf fi ns . T hen s he w en t h om e.

Th er e s ee me d t o be a s or t of s cuf fl ing noi se i n t he ba ck pa ss age , a s s he wa s c omi ng i n a t t he f ront doo r.

B ut t he re w as n ob od y t he re .

D uc he ss i n t he m ea nt im e, h ad s li pp ed o ut a t t he b ac k d oo r.

" It is a very odd thing that Ribby's pie was NOT in the oven when I put mine in! And I can't find it

anywhere; I have looked all over the house. I put MY pie into a nice hot oven at the top. I could not turn

a ny of t he ot he r ha ndle s; I t hink tha t t he y a re a ll s ha ms , " s ai d Duc he ss , " but I wi sh I coul d ha ve

r emove d t he pi e m ade of m ous e! I c anno t t hi nk wha t s he ha s do ne wi th i t? I he ar d Ri bby c omi ng a nd Ihad to run out by the back door! "

D uc he ss w en t h om e a nd b ru sh ed h er b ea ut if ul b la ck c oa t; a nd t he n s he p ic ke d a b un ch o f f lo we rs i n h er

g ar de n a s a p re se nt f or R ib by ; a nd p as se d t he t im e u nt il t he c lo ck s tr uc k f ou r.

R ib by -- havi ng ass ur ed h er self b y car ef ul s earch t hat t here w as r eall y n o o ne h id in g i n t he cup bo ar d o r i n

t he l ar de r- -w en t u ps ta ir s t o c ha ng e h er d re ss .

S he c am e do wns ta ir s a ga in , a nd m ad e t he t ea , a nd pu t t he t ea po t o n t he h ob. Sh e p ee pe d a ga in i nt o t he

B OT TO M o ve n, t he p ie h ad b ec om e a l ov el y b ro wn , a nd i t w as s te am in g h ot .

She sa t down before t he f ire to wait f or the li ttle dog. " I am glad I used the BOTTOM ove n, " s aid

R ib by , " t he t op o ne w ou ld c er ta in ly h av e b ee n v er y m uc h t oo h ot . "

V er y p un ct ua ll y a t f ou r o 'c lo ck , D uc he ss s ta rt ed t o g o t o t he p ar ty .

At a qua rt er pa st f our t o t he m inut e, t he re c am e a m os t ge nt ee l l it tl e t ap- ta ppi ty. " I s M rs . R ibs to n a t

h om e? " i nq ui red D uchess i n t he p or ch .

" Come in! and how do you do, my dear Duche ss? " c ried Ribby. " I hope I see you wel l? "

" Q ui te we ll , I t ha nk yo u, a nd ho w do YO U do, m y de ar Ri bby? " s ai d Duc he ss . " I 've br ought you s ome

f lo wers ; w hat a d el icio us s mell o f p ie! "

" Oh, wha t l ove ly f lowe rs ! Ye s, i t i s m ouse and ba con! "

" I thi nk i t wa nt s anothe r f ive minute s, " sa id Ri bby. " J ust a sha de longer ; I wil l pour out t he t ea , whil e we

w ai t. D o yo u t ak e s ug ar , m y de ar Du che ss ? "

" Oh yes, please! my dear Ribby; and may I have a lump upon my nose? "

" W it h p le as ur e, m y d ea r D uc he ss . "

D uc he ss s at u p w it h t he s ug ar o n h er n os e a nd s ni ff ed --

P a g e 2 2



" How good that pie sme lls ! I do l ove ve al and ham--I mea n to say mous e and ba con-- "

Sh e d ropp ed t he s ug ar i n c onf us ion , a nd ha d t o g o hunt ing und er t he t ea - t abl e, s o di d no t s ee whi ch

ov en Ri bb y o pe ne d i n or de r t o g et o ut t he p ie .

R ib by s et t he p ie u po n t he t ab le ; t he re w as a v er y s av ou ry s me ll .

D uc he ss c am e o ut f ro m u nd er t he t ab le -c lo th m un ch in g s ug ar , a nd s at u p o n a c ha ir .

" I wi ll f ir st c ut t he pi e f or yo u; I a m g oi ng t o h av e mu ff in a nd ma rm al ade , " s ai d R ibb y.

" I t hink " - -( thought Duc he ss t o he rs el f) -- " I TH IN K i t woul d be wi se r if I he lpe d mys el f t o pi e; t hough

R ibb y d id n ot s ee m t o no ti ce a nyt hi ng w he n s he w as c ut ti ng i t. W ha t v er y s ma ll f in e p ie ce s i t h as c ook ed

i nt o! I di d no t r em embe r t ha t I ha d mi nc ed i t up s o f ine ; I s uppos e thi s is a qui cke r ove n tha n my ow n. "

T he p ie-d is h w as emp ty in g r ap id ly ! D uchess h ad h ad f ou r h el ps alr eady , and w as f um bl in g w it h t hespoon.

" A l it tl e m or e b ac on , m y d ea r D uc he ss ? " s ai d R ib by .

" T ha nk y ou , m y d ea r R ib by ; I w as o nl y f ee li ng f or t he p at ty -p an . "

" T he p at ty -p an ? m y d ea r D uc he ss ? "

" T he p at ty p an t ha t h el d u p t he p ie -c ru st , " s ai d D uc he ss , b lu sh in g u nd er h er b la ck c oa t.

" Oh, I di dn 't put one i n, m y de ar D uc he ss , " s ai d Ri bby; " I don' t t hi nk t ha t i t i s ne ce ss ar y i n pi es m ade of m ou se. "

D uc he ss f um bl ed w it h t he s po on- - " I c an 't f in d i t! " s he s ai d a nx io us ly .

" T here i sn 't a p at ty -p an , " s ai d R ib by , l oo ki ng p er pl ex ed .

" Y es , i nde ed , my d ea r Ri bb y; whe re c an i t h ave gon e t o? " s ai d D uc he ss .

D uc he ss l oo ke d v er y m uc h a la rm ed , a nd c on ti nu ed t o s co op t he i ns id e o f t he p ie -d is h.

" I ha ve onl y f our p at ty- pa ns , a nd t he y a re a ll i n t he c upboa rd. "

D uc he ss s et up a h ow l.

" I s ha ll di e! I s ha ll di e! I ha ve s wa ll owe d a pa tt y- pa n! Oh, m y de ar R ibby, I do f ee l s o i ll ! "

" I t i s i mpos si bl e, my de ar D uc he ss ; t he re w as not a pa tt y- pa n. "

" Yes there WAS, my dea r Ribby, I am s ure I have swal lowe d it! "

" Le t m e prop you up wi th a pil low, my de ar Duc he ss ; whe re do you thi nk you f ee l i t? "

" Oh I do feel so ill ALL OVER me, my dear Ribby. "

P a g e 2 3



" Shall I run for the doctor? "

" O h y es , y es ! f et ch D r. M ag go tt y, m y de ar R ibb y: h e i s a P ie h im se lf , h e w il l c er ta in ly u nd er st and . "

R ib by s et tl ed D uc he ss i n a n a rm ch ai r b ef or e t he f ir e, a nd w en t o ut a nd h ur ri ed t o t he v il la ge t o l ook f or

t h e d o ct o r.

S he f ou nd h im at t he s mi th y.

R ib by exp lain ed t hat h er g uest h ad s wal lo wed a p at t y- pan.

D r. M ag go tt y h op pe d s o f as t t ha t R ib by h ad t o r un . I t w as m os t c on sp ic uo us . A ll t he v il la ge c ou ld s ee

t hat R ib by w as f et ch in g t he d octo r.

B ut w hi le R ib by h ad b ee n h un ti ng f or t he d oc to r- -a c ur io us t hi ng h ad h ap pe ne d t o D uc he ss , w ho h ad

been left by herself, sitting before the fire, sighing and groaning and feeling very unhappy.

" H ow CO ULD I ha ve s wa ll owe d i t! s uc h a l ar ge t hi ng a s a pa tt y- pa n! "

S he s at d ow n a ga in , a nd s ta re d m ou rn fu ll y a t t he g ra te . T he f ir e c ra ck le d a nd d an ce d, a nd s om et hi ng

sizz-z-zled!

D uc he ss s ta rt ed! S he op en ed t he d oo r o f t he TO P o ve n; -- out c am e a r ic h s te am y f la vo ur of v ea l a nd

ha m, a nd t he re s to od a f in e br ow n p ie ,- - a nd t hr oug h a h ol e i n t he t op o f t he p ie -c ru st t he re w as a

g li mp se o f a l it tl e t in p at ty -p an !

D uc he ss d re w a l on g b re at h- -

" Then I must have be en eating MOUSE! . . . No wonder I fee l il l. . . . But perha ps I s houl d fe el wors e i f

I h ad r ea ll y s wa ll ow ed a p at ty -p an ! " D uc he ss r ef le ct ed -- " W ha t a v er y a wk wa rd t hi ng t o h av e t o

e xpl ain to Ri bby! I t hink I wi ll put MY pi e i n t he ba ck- ya rd a nd s ay not hi ng a bout i t. Whe n I go home , I

wi ll r un r oun d a nd t ake i t a wa y. " She pu t i t ou ts ide t he b ac k- door , a nd s ay do wn a ga in by t he f ir e, a nd

s hu t h er e ye s; w he n R ib by a rr iv ed w it h t he d oc to r, s he s ee me d f as t a sl ee p.

" I a m f ee li ng v er y m uc h b et te r, " s ai d D uc he ss , w ak in g up w it h a j um p.

" I a m tr ul y gl ad t o hea r i t! He ha s br ought you a pil l, my de ar D uc he ss! "

" I t hi nk I s ho ul d f ee l QU IT E w el l i f he o nl y f el t m y pu ls e, " s ai d D uc he ss , b ac ki ng a wa y f ro m t he ma gp ie ,

w ho s id led u p w it h s om et hi ng i n h is b eak.

" It i s onl y a br ea d pi ll , you ha d much be tte r t ake i t; dr ink a l itt le mil k, my de ar Duche ss ! "

" I a m f ee ling ve ry muc h be tte r, my de ar Ri bby, " s ai d Duc he ss . " Do you not t hink tha t I ha d be tt er go

ho me b ef or e i t g et s d ar k? "

" Pe rhaps it m ight be wi se, my de ar Duc he ss . "

R ib by and D uches s s aid g oo d- by e aff ect io nately , and D uches s s tar ted h om e. H al f- way u p t he l an e s he

s to pp ed a nd l oo ke d b ac k; R ib by h ad g on e i n a nd s hu t h er d oo r. D uc he ss s li pp ed t hr ou gh t he f en ce , a nd

P a g e 2 4



r an r ou nd t o t he ba ck o f R ib by' s ho us e, a nd p ee pe d i nt o t he y ar d.

U po n t he r oo f o f t he p ig -s ty e s at D r. M ag go tt y a nd t hr ee j ac kd aw s. T he j ac kd aw s w er e e at in g p ie cr us t,

a nd t he m ag pi e w as d ri nk in g g ra vy o ut o f a p at ty -p an .

Duchess ran home feeling uncommonly silly!

Whe n Ri bby c ame out f or a pa il ful of wa te r t o wa sh up t he t ea -t hings , s he f ound a pi nk a nd whi te

pie-dish lying smashed in the middle of the yard.

R ibb y s ta re d w it h a ma ze me nt -- " Di d yo u e ve r s ee t he l ik e! s o t he re r ea ll y W AS a pa tt y- pa n? . . . Bu t

MY pat ty-pa ns are all in t he kit chen c upboar d. Well I ne ve r di d! . . . Next ti me I want to give a part y- -I

will invite Cousin Tabitha Twitchit! "

THE TALE OF MR.JEREMY FISHER

[ Fo r S teph an ie f r om C ou si n B .]

O nc e u po n a t im e t he re w as a f ro g c al le d M r. J er em y F is he r; h e l iv ed i n a l it tl e d am p h ou se a mo ng st t he

buttercups at the edge of a pond.

T he w at er w as a ll s li pp y- sl op py i n t he l ar de r a nd i n t he b ac k p as sa ge .

B ut M r. J er em y l ik ed g et ti ng h is f ee t w et ; n ob od y e ve r s co ld ed h im , a nd h e n ev er c au gh t a c ol d!

H e wa s qu it e p le as ed wh en h e l oo ke d ou t a nd s aw l ar ge d rop s of r ai n, s pl as hi ng i n t he p on d- -

" I wi ll get some worms a nd go fi shing and c at ch a dis h of minnows f or my dinne r, " s ai d Mr . J er emy

F is he r. " I f I c at ch mo re t ha n f ive f is h, I w il l i nv it e my f ri en ds M r. A ld er ma n P tol em y T or to is e a nd S ir

I sa ac N ew to n. T he A ld er ma n, h ow ev er , e at s s al ad . "

M r. J er em y p ut on a m ac ki nt os h, a nd a p ai r of s hi ny ga los he s; h e t oo k hi s r od a nd ba ske t, a nd s et o ff

w it h e no rm ous h op s t o t he p la ce w he re h e ke pt h is b oa t.

Th e b oa t wa s r ound a nd gr ee n, a nd v er y l ike t he o the r l il y- le av es . I t wa s t ie d t o a wa te r- pl an t i n t he

m id dl e o f t he p on d.

Mr . J ere my t ook a re ed pole , a nd pushe d t he boa t out i nt o ope n wa ter . " I know a good pl ac e f or

m in no ws , " s ai d M r. J er em y F is her.

M r. J er em y s tuc k h is pol e i nt o t he m ud a nd f as te ne d t he boa t t o i t.

T hen h e s et tl ed h im self cro ss - l eg ged and arr an ged h is f is hi ng t ackl e. H e h ad t he d earest l it tl e r ed f lo at .H is r od wa s a t ou gh s ta lk o f g ra ss , h is l ine w as a f in e l ong w hi te h or se -h ai r, a nd h e t ie d a l it tl e w ri ggl in g

w or m a t t he e nd .

P a g e 2 5



Th e r ai n t ri ckl ed d own hi s b ac k, a nd f or ne ar ly a n ho ur he s ta re d a t t he f lo at .

" T hi s i s g et ti ng t ir es om e, I t hi nk I s ho ul d l ike s om e l un ch, " s ai d M r. J er em y F is he r.

H e p un te d b ac k a ga in a mo ng st t he w at er -p la nt s, a nd t oo k s om e l un ch o ut o f h is b as ke t.

" I w il l e at a b ut te rf ly s and wi ch , a nd w ai t t il l t he s ho we r i s o ve r, " s ai d M r. J er em y F is he r.

A g re at b ig w at er -b ee tl e c am e u p u nd er ne at h t he l il y l ea f a nd t we ak ed t he t oe o f o ne o f h is g al os he s.

M r. J er em y c ro ss ed h is l eg s u p s ho rt er , o ut o f r ea ch , a nd w en t o n e at in g h is s an dw ic h.

O nc e o r t wi ce s om et hi ng m ov ed a bo ut w it h a r us tl e a nd a s pl as h a mo ng st t he r us he s a t t he s id e o f t he

pond.

" I trus t tha t is not a rat, " s aid Mr. J eremy Fisher; " I think I had be tter get away from here. "

M r. J er em y s ho ve d t he boa t o ut a ga in a l it tl e wa y, a nd dr oppe d i n t he ba it . T he re w as a bi te a lm os t

d ir ectl y; t he f lo at g av e a t remend ou s b ob bi t!

" A mi nnow! a mi nnow! I have hi m by the nose ! " cr ied M r. J er emy Fi sher , j erki ng up hi s r od.

B ut w ha t a h or ri bl e s ur pr is e! I ns te ad o f a s mo ot h f at m in no w, M r. J er em y l an de d l it tl e J ac k S ha rp , t he

stickleback, covered with spines!

T he s ti ck leback f lo un dered abo ut t he b oat, p ri ck in g and s napp in g u nt il h e w as q ui te o ut o f b reat h. T hen

h e j um pe d b ac k i nt o t he w at er .

A nd a s ho al o f o th er l it tl e f is he s p ut t he ir h ea ds o ut , a nd l au gh ed a t M r. J er em y F is he r.

A nd w hi le M r. J er em y s at d is co ns ol at el y o n t he edg e o f h is b oat- -s ucki ng h is s or e f in gers and p eeri ng

d ow n i nt o t he w at er -- a M UC H w or se t hi ng h ap pe ne d; a r ea ll y F RI GH TF UL t hi ng i t w ou ld h av e b ee n, i f

M r. J er em y h ad n ot b ee n w ea ri ng a m ac ki nt os h!

A g re at b ig e no rm ou s t ro ut c am e u p- -k er -p fl op -p -p -p ! w it h a s pl as h- - a nd i t s ei ze d M r. J er em y w it h a

s na p, " Ow! Ow! Ow! " -- and t he n i t t urne d a nd dive d down t o the bott om of the pond!

B ut t he t ro ut w as s o d is pl ea se d w it h t he t as te o f t he m ac ki nt os h, t ha t i n l es s t ha n h al f a m in ut e i t s pa t h im

o ut again ; and t he o nl y t hi ng i t s wall ow ed w as M r. J er em y' s g al os hes.

Mr . Je re my bounce d up t o t he s ur fac e of the wa ter , li ke a cor k a nd t he bubbl es out of a soda wa ter

bottle; and he swam with all his might to the edge of the pond.

H e s cr am bl ed out o n t he f ir st ba nk he c am e t o, a nd he ho pp ed ho me a cr os s t he m ea dow w it h hi s

mackintosh all in tatters.

" What a me rcy that wa s not a pike! " sai d Mr . Jer emy Fis her. " I have lost my r od and bas ket; but it

doe s not muc h ma tt er , for I a m s ur e I s hould ne ve r ha ve da re d to go f is hi ng a ga in! "

H e p ut s om e s ti ck in g p la st er o n h is f in ge rs , a nd h is f ri en ds b ot h c am e t o d in ne r. H e c ou ld n ot o ff er t he m

P a g e 2 6



f is h, b ut h e h ad s om et hi ng els e i n h is l ar der.

S ir I sa ac N ew to n w or e h is b la ck a nd g ol d w ai st co at .

A nd M r. A ld er ma n P to le my T or to is e b ro ug ht a s al ad w it h h im i n a s tr in g b ag .

A nd i ns te ad o f a n ic e d is h o f m in no ws , t he y h ad a r oa st ed g ra ss ho pp er w it h l ad y- bi rd s au ce , w hi ch f ro gsc on si de r a b ea ut if ul t re at ; b ut _ I_ t hi nk i t m us t h av e b ee n n as ty !

THE STORY OF A FIERCE

B A D R A B B I TT hi s i s a f ie rc e b ad R ab bi t; l oo k a t h is s av ag e w hi sk er s a nd h is c la ws a nd h is t ur ne d- up t ai l.

T hi s i s a ni ce g en tl e R ab bi t. H is m ot he r h as g ive n hi m a c ar ro t.

T he b ad R ab bi t w ou ld l ik e s om e c ar ro t.

He doe sn' t s ay " Pl ea se. " He t ake s i t!

A nd h e s cr at ch es t he g oo d R ab bi t v er y b ad ly .

T he g oo d R abb it c re eps a wa y a nd hi de s i n a h ol e. I t f ee ls s ad.

This is a ma n with a gun.

H e s ee s s om et hi ng s it ti ng o n a b en ch . H e t hi nk s i t i s a v er y f unn y bi rd !

H e c om es c re ep in g u p b eh in d t he t re es .

A nd t hen h e s h oo t s- - BA NG !

T hi s i s w hat h ap pens - -

But t his is a ll he finds on t he bench when he r ushes up wit h his gun.

The good Rabbit peeps out of its hole . . .

. . . a nd i t s ee s t he b ad Ra bb it t ea ri ng p as t- -wi tho ut a ny t ai l or w hi sk er s!

THE STORY OF MISS

MOPPET

P a g e 2 7



Thi s i s a Pu ss y c al le d M is s M opp et ; s he t hi nks s he h as he ar d a m ou se !

T hi s i s t he M ou se p ee pi ng o ut b eh in d t he c up bo ar d a nd m ak in g f un o f M is s M op pe t. H e i s n ot a fr ai d o f

a k it ten.

T hi s i s M is s M op pe t j um pi ng j us t t oo l at e; s he m is se s t he M ou se a nd h it s h er o wn h ea d.

Sh e t hi nks i t i s a ve ry ha rd c upb oa rd!

T he M ou se w at ch es M is s M opp et f rom t he t op o f t he c up bo ar d.

M is s M op pe t t ie s up h er h ea d i n a d us te r a nd s it s be for e t he f ir e.

T he M ou se t hi nk s s he i s l oo ki ng v er y i ll . H e com es s li di ng d ow n t he b el lp ul l.

M is s M op pe t l oo ks w or se a nd w or se . T he M ou se c om es a l it tl e n ea re r.

M is s M opp et hol ds he r p oor he ad i n he r p aw s a nd l oo ks a t hi m t hr oug h a h ol e i n t he dus te r. T he M ous e

com es V ER Y clo se.

A nd t he n a ll o f a s ud de n- -M is s M op pe t j um ps u po n t he M ou se !

A nd b ec au se t he M ou se h as t ea se d M is s M op pe t- -M is s M op pe t t hi nk s s he w il l t ea se t he M ou se , w hi ch

i s not a t a ll ni ce of Mi ss M op pe t.

She t ie s hi m up in t he d us te r a nd t os se s i t a bout l ike a ba ll .

Bu t s he f or got a bo ut t ha t ho le i n t he dus te r; a nd w he n s he u nt ie d i t- - t he re w as no Mo us e!

He ha s wr ig gl ed out a nd r un a wa y; a nd he i s d anc ing a j ig on t op of t he c upbo ar d!

THE TALE OF TOM

KITTEN[ De di ca te d t o A ll P ic kl es , - -E sp ec ia ll y t o T ho se T ha t G et u po n M y G ar de n W al l]

O nc e u po n a t im e t he re w er e t hr ee l it tl e k it te ns , a nd t he ir n am es w er e M it te ns , T om K it te n, a nd

Moppet.

T he y h ad d ea r l it tl e f ur c oa ts o f t he ir o wn ; a nd t he y t um bl ed a bo ut t he d oo rs te p a nd p la ye d i n t he d us t.

B ut o ne d ay t heir m ot her- -M rs . T ab it ha T wi tchi t- - ex pect ed f ri en ds t o t ea; s o s he f et ched t he k it t en s

i nd oo rs , t o w as h a nd d re ss t he m, b ef or e t he f in e c om pa ny a rr iv ed .

F ir st s he s cr ub be d t he ir f ac es ( th is o ne i s M op pe t) .

P a g e 2 8



T hen s he b ru sh ed t heir f ur ( th is o ne i s M it tens ).

T hen s he com bed t heir t ai ls and w hi sk er s ( th is i s T om K it ten) .

T om w as v er y n au gh ty , a nd h e s cr at ch ed .

M rs . T ab it ha d re ss ed M op pe t a nd M it te ns i n c le an p in af or es a nd t uc ke rs ; a nd t he n s he t oo k a ll s or ts o f

e le ga nt u nc om fo rt ab le c lo th es o ut o f a c he st o f d ra we rs , i n o rd er t o d re ss u p h er s on T ho ma s.

T om K it te n w as v er y f at , a nd h e h ad g ro wn ; s ev er al b ut to ns b ur st o ff . H is m ot he r s ew ed t he m o n a ga in .

W he n t he t hr ee k it te ns w er e r ea dy , M rs . T ab it ha u nw is el y t ur ne d t he m o ut i nt o t he g ar de n, t o b e o ut o f

t he w ay w hi le s he m ad e h ot b ut te re d t oa st .

" N ow k ee p y ou r f ro ck s c le an , c hi ld re n! Y ou m us t w al k o n y ou r h in d l eg s. K ee p a wa y f ro m t he d ir ty

a sh - p it , a nd f ro m S al ly H en ny P en ny , a nd f ro m t he p ig st y a nd t he P ud dl e- d uc ks . "

M op pet and M it tens w al ked d ow n t he g ar den p at h u ns teadi ly . P resent ly t hey t ro d u po n t heir p in af or es

a nd f el l o n t he ir n os es .

W he n t he y s to od u p t he re w er e s ev er al g re en s me ar s!

" L et u s c li mb up t he r oc ke ry a nd s it on t he ga rde n w al l, " s ai d M opp et .

T he y t ur ne d t he ir p in af or es b ac k t o f ro nt a nd w en t u p w it h a s ki p a nd a j um p; M op pe t' s w hi te t uc ke r f el l

d ow n i nt o t he r oa d.

T om K it te n w as q ui te un ab le t o j um p w he n w al ki ng u po n h is h in d l eg s i n t ro us er s. H e c am e u p t he

r ockery b y d eg rees , b reaki ng t he f er ns and s hedd in g b ut to ns r ig ht and l ef t.

He wa s a ll i n pi ec es wh en he r ea che d t he t op of t he wa ll .

M op pe t a nd M it te ns t ri ed t o p ul l h im t og et he r; h is h at f el l o ff , a nd t he r es t o f h is b ut to ns b ur st .

W hi le t he y w er e i n d if fi cu lt ie s, t he re w as a p it p at , p ad dl e p at ! a nd t he t hr ee P ud dl e- du ck s c am e a lo ng

t he h ar d hi gh r oa d, ma rc hi ng o ne b eh in d t he ot he r a nd d oi ng t he g oo se s te p- - p it p at , p ad dl e pa t! p it p at ,

w add l e p at!

T he y s top pe d a nd s to od i n a r ow a nd s ta re d up a t t he k it te ns . T he y h ad v er y s ma ll e ye s a nd l oo ke d

s ur pr is ed . T he n t he t wo d uc k- bi rd s, R eb ec ca h a nd J em im a P ud dl e- du ck , p ic ke d u p t he h at a nd t uc ke r

a nd p ut t he m on .

M it te ns l au gh ed s o t ha t s he f el l o ff t he w al l. M op pe t a nd T om d es ce nd ed a ft er h er ; t he p in af or es a nd a ll

t he r es t o f T om 's c lot he s c am e of f on t he w ay do wn.

" C om e! M r. D ra ke P ud dl e- du ck , " s ai d M opp et . " C om e a nd h el p u s t o d re ss h im ! Co me a nd b ut ton

up Tom! "

M r. D ra ke P ud dl e- du ck a dv an ce d i n a s lo w s id ew ay s m an ne r a nd p ic ke d u p t he v ar io us a rt ic le s.

P a g e 2 9



B ut h e p ut t he m o n H IM SE LF ! T he y f it te d h im e ve n w or se t ha n To m K it te n.

" I t' s a v er y f in e m or ni ng ! " s ai d M r. D ra ke P ud dl e- du ck .

A nd h e a nd J em im a a nd R eb ec ca h P ud dl e- du ck s et o ff u p t he r oa d, k ee pi ng s te p- -p it p at , p ad dl e p at !

pit pat, waddle pat!

T he n T ab it ha T wi tc hi t c am e d ow n t he g ar de n a nd f ou nd he r k it te ns o n t he w al l w it h n o c lo th es o n.

S he p ul le d t he m o ff t he w al l, s ma ck ed t he m, a nd t oo k t he m b ac k t o t he h ou se .

" My fr iends wi ll a rri ve in a mi nute , a nd you a re not f it t o be se en; I a m a ffr onte d, " s ai d Mr s. Ta bi tha

Twitchit.

She s ent t he m up st ai rs ; a nd I a m s or ry t o s ay s he t ol d he r f ri ends t ha t t he y w er e i n be d w it h t he

m ea sl es -- w hi ch w as n ot t ru e.

Qu it e t he c on tr ar y; t he y w er e not i n be d: N OT i n t he l ea st .

S om eh ow t here w er e v er y ext ra-- o rd in ar y n oi ses o verh ead, w hi ch d is tu rb ed t he d ig ni t y and r ep os e o f

t he t ea p ar ty .

An d I t hi nk t ha t s ome da y I s ha ll ha ve t o m ake a not he r, l ar ge r bo ok, t o t el l you m or e a bou t To m Ki tt en!

A s f or t he P ud dl e- du ck s- -t he y w en t i nt o a p on d.

T he c lo th es a ll c am e o ff d ir ec tl y, b ec au se t he re w er e n o b ut to ns .

A nd M r. D ra ke P ud dl e- du ck , a nd J em im a a nd R eb ec ca h, h av e b ee n l oo ki ng f or t he m e ve r s in ce .

THE TALE OF JEMIMA

PUDDLE-DUCK [ A F ar my ar d T al e f or R al ph a nd B et sy ]

Wha t a funny s ight i t is t o s ee a br ood of duc kl ings wi th a hen!

L is te n t o t he s to ry o f J em im a P ud dl e- du ck , w ho w as a nn oy ed b ec au se t he f ar me r' s w if e w ou ld n ot l et

h er h at ch h er o wn e gg s.

H er s is ter- in -l aw , M rs . R eb eccah P ud dl e- du ck , w as p er fect ly w il li ng t o l eave t he h at ch in g t o s om eo ne

e ls e- - " I h ave not t he pa ti enc e t o s it on a n es t f or t we nt y- ei gh t d ays ; a nd no m or e ha ve yo u, J em im a.

Y ou w ou ld l et t he m g o c ol d; y ou k now yo u w ou ld ! "

" I w is h t o ha tc h m y o wn e gg s; I w il l ha tc h t he m a ll b y m ys el f, " qu ac ke d J em im a Pu dd le -d uc k.

P a g e 3 0



S he t ri ed t o h id e h er e gg s; b ut t he y w er e a lw ay s f ou nd a nd c ar ri ed o ff .

J em im a P ud dl e- du ck b ec am e q ui te d es pe ra te . S he d et er mi ne d t o m ak e a n es t r ig ht a wa y f ro m t he f ar m.

S he s et o ff o n a f in e s pr in g a ft er no on a lo ng t he c ar t r oa d t ha t l ea ds o ve r t he h il l.

S he w as w ea ri ng a s ha wl a nd a p ok e bo nne t.

W he n s he r ea ch ed t he t op of t he hi ll , s he s aw a w oo d i n t he di st anc e.

S he t ho ug ht t ha t i t l oo ke d a s af e q ui et s po t.

J em im a P ud dl e- du ck w as n ot m uch i n t he h ab it o f f ly in g. S he r an d ow nh il l a f ew y ar ds f lapp in g h er

s ha wl , a nd t he n s he j um pe d o ff i nt o t he a ir .

S he f le w b ea ut if ul ly w he n s he h ad g ot a g oo d s ta rt .

S he s ki mm ed a lo ng o ve r t he t re et op s u nt il s he s aw a n o pe n p la ce i n t he m id dl e o f t he w oo d, w he re t he

t re es a nd b ru sh wo od h ad b ee n c le ar ed .

J em im a ali gh ted r at her h eavi ly and b eg an t o w ad dl e abo ut i n s earch o f a con veni en t d ry n es ti ng p lace.

S he r at her f an ci ed a t ree s tu mp amo ng st s om e t al l f ox gl ov es .

B ut -- seat ed u po n t he s t um p, s he w as s tart led t o f in d an elegant ly d ress ed g en tl em an r eadi ng a

n ew sp ap er . H e h ad b la ck p ri ck e ar s a nd s an dy c ol or ed w hi sk er s.

" Q ua ck ? " s ai d J em im a P udd le - du ck , w it h he r h ea d a nd h er b on ne t on t he on e s ide -- " Q ua ck ? "

T he g en tl em an r ai sed h is eyes abo ve h is n ew sp ap er and l oo ked cur io us ly at J em im a- -

" Ma dam , ha ve you l os t your wa y? " s aid he . He ha d a l ong bushy t ai l w hi ch he wa s s it ting upon, a s t he

s tu mp w as s om ew hat d am p.

J em im a t ho ug ht h im m ig ht y civ il and h an ds om e. S he exp lain ed t hat s he h ad n ot l os t h er w ay , b ut t hat s he

w as t ry in g t o f in d a con veni en t d ry n es ti ng p lace.

" A h! i s t hat s o? I nd eed! " s ai d t he g en tl em an w it h s an dy w hi sk er s, l oo ki ng cur io us ly at J em im a. H e

f ol de d u p t he n ew sp ap er a nd p ut i t i n h is c oa tt ai l p oc ke t.

Jemima complained of the superfluous hen.

" I nd ee d! H ow i nt er es ti ng ! I w is h I c ou ld m ee t w it h t ha t f ow l. I w ou ld t ea ch i t t o m in d i ts o wn b us in es s!

" But a s t o a ne st -- the re i s no di ff ic ul ty: I ha ve a s ac kf ul of f ea the rs i n my woods he d. No , m y de ar

m ad am , y ou w il l b e i n no bo dy 's w ay . Y ou m ay s it t he re a s l on g a s yo u l ik e, " s ai d t he b us hy l on g- ta il ed

gentleman.

H e l ed t he w ay t o a v er y r et ir ed , d is mal- lo ok in g h ou se amo ng st t he f ox gl ov es .

I t w as b ui lt o f f ag go ts a nd t ur f, a nd t he re we re t wo br oke n pa il s, on e on t op of a no the r, b y wa y of a

chimney.

P a g e 3 1



" T hi s i s m y s um mer r es id en ce; y ou w ou ld n ot f in d m y ear th -- my w in ter h ou se-- so con veni en t, " s ai d t he

hospitable gentleman.

T he re w as a t um bl ed ow n s he d a t t he b ac k of t he ho us e, m ade o f ol d s oa p bo xe s. T he ge nt le ma n op en ed

t he d oo r a nd s ho we d J em im a i n.

T he s hed w as alm os t q ui te f ul l o f f eath er s- -i t w as alm os t s uf fo cati ng ; b ut i t w as com fo rt ab le and v er y

soft.

J em im a P ud dl e- du ck w as r at he r s ur pr is ed t o f in d s uc h a v as t q ua nt it y o f f ea th er s. B ut i t w as v er y

c om fo rt ab le ; a nd s he m ad e a n es t w it ho ut a ny t ro ub le a t a ll .

W he n s he c am e o ut , t he s an dy - w hi sk er ed g en tl em an w as s it ti ng o n a l og r ea di ng t he n ew sp ap er -- at

le ast he had it s pr ead out, but he was looking over the top of i t.

He wa s s o pol it e t ha t he s ee me d a lmo st s or ry t o l et J emi ma go home f or t he ni ght . H e p romi se d t o t ak egr ea t c ar e of he r ne st un ti l s he c ame ba ck a ga in t he ne xt da y.

H e s ai d h e l ov ed e gg s a nd d uc kl in gs ; h e s ho ul d b e p ro ud t o s ee a f in e n es tf ul i n h is w oo ds he d.

J em im a P ud dl e- du ck cam e every aft er no on ; s he l ai d n in e egg s i n t he n es t. T hey w er e g reen y w hi te and

v er y l ar ge. T he f ox y g en tl em an adm ir ed t hem i mm en sely . H e u sed t o t ur n t hem o ver and cou nt t hem

w hen J em im a w as n ot t here.

At la st Je mi ma t ol d him tha t she i nte nded t o be gi n t o si t next day- - " a nd I wil l bri ng a ba g of cor n wit h

me , s o t ha t I ne ed ne ver le ave m y ne st unt il t he e ggs a re ha tc he d. The y m ight c at ch c ol d, " s ai d t he

conscientious Jemima.

" M ad am , I b eg y ou n ot t o t ro ub le y ou rs el f w it h a b ag ; I w il l p ro vi de o at s. B ut b ef or e y ou c om me nc e

y ou r t ed io us s it ti ng , I i nt en d t o g iv e y ou a t re at . L et u s h av e a d in ne r p ar ty a ll t o o ur se lv es !

" May I as k you to bri ng up some he rbs from the farm garden to ma ke a savory omelet? Sage and

t hy me , a nd m in t a nd t wo o ni on s, a nd s om e p ar sl ey . I w il l p ro vi de l ar d f or t he s tu ff -- la rd f or t he o me le t, "

said the hospitable gentleman with sandy whiskers.

J em im a P ud dl e- du ck w as a s im pl et on : n ot even t he m en ti on o f s ag e and o ni on s m ad e h er s us pi ci ou s.

S he w en t r ou nd t he f ar m g ar de n, n ib bl ing of f s ni pp et s o f a ll t he d if fe re nt s or ts o f h er bs t ha t a re u se d f or

stuffing roast duck.

A nd s he w ad dl ed i nt o t he ki tc he n a nd go t t wo on ion s ou t of a b as ke t.

The c oll ie dog Ke p me t he r c omi ng o ut , " W ha t a re you doi ng w it h t hos e oni ons ? Whe re do you go

every afternoon by yourself, Jemima Puddle-duck? "

J em im a w as r at he r i n a we o f t he c ol li e; s he t ol d hi m t he w ho le s to ry .

T he col li e l is tened, w it h h is w is e h ead o n o ne s id e; h e g ri nn ed w hen s he d es cr ib ed t he p ol it e g en tl em an

with sandy whiskers.

P a g e 3 2



H e a sk ed s ev er al q ue st io ns a bo ut t he w oo d a nd a bo ut t he e xa ct p os it io n o f t he h ou se a nd s he d.

T he n h e w en t o ut , a nd t ro tt ed d ow n t he v il la ge . H e w en t t o l oo k f or t wo f ox ho un d p up pi es w ho w er e o ut

a t w al k w it h t he b ut ch er .

J em im a P ud dl e- du ck w en t u p t he c ar t r oa d f or t he l as t t im e, o n a s un ny a ft er no on . S he w as r at he r

burdened with bunches of herbs and two onions in a bag.

S he f lew o ver t he w oo d, and ali gh ted o pp os it e t he h ou se o f t he b us hy l on g- tail ed g en tl em an .

H e w as s it ti ng o n a l og; he s ni ff ed t he a ir a nd k ept gl anc in g un ea si ly r oun d t he wo od . W he n J em im a

alighted he quite jumped.

" C om e i nt o t he h ous e a s s oon a s yo u ha ve l ooke d a t y our e ggs . G ive m e t he he rb s f or t he om el et . B e

s har p! "

H e w as r at he r a br up t. J em im a P ud dl e- du ck h ad n ev er h ea rd h im s pe ak l ik e t ha t.

She felt surprised and uncomfortable.

W hi le s he w as i ns id e s he h ea rd p at te ri ng f ee t r ou nd t he b ac k o f t he s he d. S om eo ne w it h a b la ck n os e

s ni ff ed a t t he b ot to m of t he d oor , a nd t he m l oc ke d i t.

Jemima became much alarmed.

A m om en t aft er ward t here w er e m os t awf ul n oi ses- -b ar ki ng , b ay in g, g ro wl s and h ow ls , s qu eali ng and

groans.

A nd n ot hi ng m or e w as ever s een o f t hat f ox y- wh is kered g en tl em an .

P re se nt ly K ep o pe ne d t he d oo r o f t he s he d a nd l et o ut J em im a P ud dl e- d uc k.

U nf or tu na te ly t he p up pi es r us he d i n a nd g ob bl ed u p a ll t he e gg s b ef or e h e c ou ld s to p t he m.

He ha d a bi te on hi s e ar , a nd bot h t he pu ppi es w er e l impi ng.

J em im a P ud dl e- du ck w as e sc or te d h om e i n t ea rs o n a cc ou nt o f t ho se e gg s.

S he l ai d s om e m or e i n J un e, a nd s he w as p er mi tt ed t o k ee p t he m h er se lf : b ut o nl y f ou r o f t he m h at ch ed .

J em im a P ud dl e- duc k s ai d t ha t i t w as b ec au se o f he r ne rv es ; bu t s he ha d a lw ay s be en a ba d s it te r.

THE ROLY-POLY

PUDDING[ In R em em br an ce o f " S am my , " t he I nt el li gent P in k- Ey ed R ep resent at iv e o f a P er secu ted ( Bu t

P a g e 3 3



Irrepressible) Race. An Affectionate Little Friend, and Most Accomplished Thief!]

O nc e u po n a t im e t he re w as a n o ld c at , c al le d M rs . T ab it ha T wi tc hi t, w ho w as a n a nx io us p ar en t. S he

u sed t o l os e h er k it tens con ti nu al ly , and w henever t hey w er e l os t t hey w er e alw ay s i n m is ch ief!

On b aki ng da y s he d et er mi ne d t o s hu t t he m u p i n a c upbo ar d.

S he c au gh t M op pe t a nd M it te ns , b ut s he c ou ld n ot f in d T om .

M rs . T ab it ha w en t u p a nd d ow n a ll o ve r t he h ou se , m ew in g f or T om K it te n. S he l oo ke d i n t he p an tr y

u nd er t he s ta ir ca se , a nd s he s ea rc he d t he b es t s pa re b ed roo m t ha t w as a ll c ov er ed u p w it h d us t s he et s.

S he w en t r ig ht u ps ta ir s a nd l oo ke d i nt o t he a tt ic s, b ut s he c ou ld n ot f in d h im a ny whe re .

I t w as a n ol d, o ld ho us e, f ul l o f c up boa rds a nd pa ss ag es . Som e of t he wa ll s we re f ou r f ee t t hi ck , a nd

t he re u se d t o b e q ue er n oi se s i ns id e t he m, a s i f t he re m ig ht b e a l it tl e s ec re t s ta ir ca se . C er ta in ly t he re

w er e o dd l it tl e j ag ged d oo rw ay s i n t he w ai ns co t, and t hi ng s d is app ear ed at n ig ht -- esp eciall y cheese and

bacon.

M rs . T ab it ha b ecame m or e and m or e d is tr act ed and m ew ed d readf ul ly .

W hi le t heir m ot her w as s earchi ng t he h ou se, M op pet and M it tens h ad g ot i nt o m is ch ief.

T he c up bo ar d d oo r w as no t l oc ke d, s o t he y p us he d i t o pe n a nd c am e o ut .

The y we nt s tr ai ght to t he dou gh whi ch wa s s et t o r is e i n a pa n be for e t he f ir e.

T he y p at te d i t w it h t he ir l it tl e s of t p aw s- - " S ha ll w e m ake d ea r l it tl e m uf fi ns ? " s ai d M it te ns t o M op pe t.

B ut j us t a t t ha t m om en t s om eb od y k no ck ed a t t he f ro nt d oo r, a nd M op pe t j um pe d i nt o t he f lo ur b ar re l i n

a fright.

Mi tt ens r an a wa y t o the da ir y a nd hi d i n a n e mpt y j ar on th e s tone s he lf w he re t he mi lk p ans s ta nd.

T he v is it or w as a n ei gh bo r, M rs . R ib by ; s he h ad c al le d t o b or ro w s om e y ea st .

M r. T ab it ha cam e d ow ns tair s m ew in g d read fu ll y- - " C om e i n, C ou si n R ib by , com e i n, and s it y e d ow n!

I 'm i n s ad t ro ub le , C ou si n R ib by , " s ai d T ab it ha , s he dd in g t ea rs . " I 'v e l os t m y d ea r s on T ho ma s; I 'm

a fr ai d t he r at s ha ve got hi m. " She wi pe d he r e ye s w it h he r a pr on.

" He's a ba d kitt en, Cousin Ta bi tha ; he ma de a ca t's cra dl e of my bes t bonnet las t time I came t o te a.

W he re h av e y ou l oo ke d f or h im ? "

" Al l over the hous e! The ra ts a re too ma ny for me. Wha t a thi ng i t i s t o ha ve a n unr ul y f amil y! " s aid Mrs .

Tabitha Twitchit.

" I 'm not a fr ai d of ra ts ; I wil l hel p you to fi nd him; and whi p hi m, too! What is al l t hat soot i n t he f ender ?

"

" T he c hi mn ey w an ts s we ep in g- - O h, d ea r m e, C ou si n R ib by -- no w M op pe t a nd M it te ns a re g on e!

" T he y ha ve bo th got out of t he c upbo ar d! "

P a g e 3 4



R ib by a nd T ab it ha s et t o w or k t o s ea rc h t he h ou se t ho ro ug hl y a ga in . T he y p ok ed u nd er t he b ed s w it h

R ib by 's u mb rell a and t hey r um maged i n cup bo ar ds . T hey even f et ch ed a can dl e and l oo ked i ns id e a

c lo th es c he st i n o ne o f t he a tt ic s. T he y c ou ld n ot f in d a ny th in g, b ut o nc e t he y h ea rd a d oo r b an g a nd

somebody scuttered downstairs.

" Y es , i t i s i nf es te d w it h r at s, " s ai d T abi th a t ea rf ul ly . " I c aug ht s ev en y oun g on es o ut o f o ne h ol e i n t he back kitchen, and we had them for dinner last Saturday. And once I saw the old father rat--an enormous

ol d r at -- Cous in Ri bby. I wa s j us t goi ng t o j ump upon hi m, whe n he s howe d hi s ye ll ow t ee th a t me a nd

w hi sk ed d ow n t he h ol e.

" T he r at s g et u po n m y n er ve s, C ou si n R ib by , " s ai d T ab it ha .

R ib by a nd T ab it ha s ea rc he d a nd s ea rc he d. T he y b ot h h ea rd a c ur io us r ol y- po ly n oi se u nd er t he a tt ic

f lo or . B ut t he re w as n ot hi ng t o b e s ee n.

T he y r et ur ne d t o t he k it ch en . " H er e' s o ne o f y ou r k it te ns a t l ea st , " s ai d R ib by , d ra gg in g M op pe t o ut o f the flour barrel.

The y s hook t he f lour of f he r a nd s et he r dow n on t he ki tc he n f loor . She s ee me d t o be i n a t er ri bl e f ri gh t.

" Oh ! M ot he r, M ot he r, " s ai d M op pe t, " t he re 's b ee n a n o ld w om an r at i n t he k it che n, a nd s he 's s tol en

s ome of the dough! "

T he t wo c at s r an t o l oo k a t t he d ou gh p an . S ur e e no ug h t he re w er e m ar ks o f l it tl e s cr at ch in g f in ge rs , a nd

a l ump of dough wa s gone!

" W hi ch wa y d id s he go, Mo ppe t? "

B ut M op pe t h ad b ee n t oo m uc h f ri gh te ne d t o p ee p o ut o f t he b ar re l a ga in .

R ib by a nd T abi th a t oo k h er w it h t he m t o ke ep h er s af el y i n s ig ht , w hi le t he y w ent o n w it h t he ir s ea rc h.

T hey w en t i nt o t he d ai ry .

T he f ir st t hi ng t hey f ou nd w as M it tens , h id in g i n an emp ty j ar .

T he y t ip pe d o ve r t he j ar , a nd s he s cr am bl ed o ut .

" O h, M ot he r, M ot he r! " s ai d M it te ns --

" O h! M ot he r, M ot he r, t he re h as b ee n a n o ld m an r at i n t he d ai ry -- a d re ad fu l ' no rm ou s b ig r at , M ot he r;

a nd h e' s s tol en a pa t of but te r a nd t he r ol li ng pi n. "

R ib by a nd T ab it ha l oo ke d a t o ne a no th er .

" A r ol li ng p in and b ut ter! O h, m y p oo r s on T ho mas! " exclaim ed T ab it ha, w ri ng in g h er p aw s.

" A r ol li ng pi n? " s ai d Ribby. " Di d we not hea r a r ol y-poly noi se in t he a tt ic whe n we we re looki ng i nto

t ha t c he st ? "

P a g e 3 5



R ib by and T ab it ha r us hed u ps tair s again . S ur e eno ug h t he r ol y- po ly n oi se w as s ti ll g oi ng o n q ui te

distinctly under the attic floor.

" Thi s i s s er ious , Cous in Ta bit ha , " s aid Ri bby. " W e mus t s end for J ohn J oi ner a t onc e, wi th a sa w. "

Now, this is what had been happening to Tom Kitten, and it shows how very unwise it is to go up a

c hi mn ey i n a v er y ol d h ous e, wh er e a pe rs on doe s n ot kno w hi s wa y, a nd whe re t he re a re e nor mousrats.

To m K it te n d id no t wa nt t o be s hut up i n a c upb oa rd . W he n h e s aw t ha t hi s mo the r w as go ing t o b ake ,

h e d et er mi ned t o h id e.

H e l oo ke d a bo ut f or a n ic e c on ve ni en t p la ce , a nd h e f ix ed u po n t he c hi mn ey .

The f ir e ha d onl y j us t be en li ght ed, a nd i t w as not hot ; bu t t he re wa s a whi te c hoky s moke f rom th e gr ee n

s ti ck s. T om K it te n g ot u po n t he f en de r a nd l oo ke d u p. I t w as a b ig o ld - f as hi on ed f ir ep la ce .

T he c hi mn ey i ts el f w as w id e e no ug h i ns id e f or a m an t o s ta nd u p a nd w al k a bo ut . S o t he re w as p le nt y o f

r oom f or a l it tl e T om C at .

H e j um ped r ig ht u p i nt o t he f ir ep lace, b al an ci ng h im self u po n t he i ro n b ar w here t he k et tl e h an gs .

T om K it te n t oo k a no the r b ig j um p o ff t he b ar a nd l an de d on a l ed ge h ig h u p i ns ide t he c hi mn ey , k no cki ng

d ow n s om e s oo t i nt o t he f en de r.

T om K it te n c ou gh ed a nd c ho ke d w it h t he s mo ke ; h e c ou ld h ea r t he s ti ck s b eg in ni ng t o c ra ck le a nd b ur n

i n t he f ir ep la ce down be low. He m ade up hi s m in d t o c li mb r ight t o t he t op, a nd ge t out on t he s la te s, a nd

t ry t o c at ch s pa rr ow s.

" I c ann ot g o b ac k. I f I s li ppe d I m ig ht f al l i n t he f ir e a nd s in ge m y be aut if ul t ai l a nd m y l it tl e b lu e j ac ke t. "

T he c hi mn ey w as a v er y b ig o ld - f as hi on ed o ne . I t w as b ui lt i n t he d ay s w he n p eo pl e b ur nt l og s o f w oo d

u po n t he h ear th .

T he c hi mn ey s ta ck s to od u p a bo ve t he r oo f l ik e a l it tl e s to ne t ow er , a nd t he d ay li gh t s ho ne d ow n f ro m

t he t op , u nd er t he s la nt in g s la te s t ha t k ep t o ut t he r ai n.

T om K it te n w as g et ti ng v er y f ri gh te ne d! H e c li mb ed u p, a nd u p, a nd u p.

T he n h e w ad ed s id ew ay s t hr ou gh i nc he s o f s oo t. H e w as l ik e a l it tl e s we ep h im se lf .

I t w as m os t c on fu si ng i n t he d ar k. O ne f lu e s ee me d t o l ea d i nt o a no th er .

T he re w as l es s s mo ke , b ut T om K it te n f el t q ui te l os t.

H e s cr am bl ed u p a nd up ; bu t b ef or e he r ea ch ed t he c hi mn ey t op he c am e t o a p la ce wh er e s om eb od y

h ad l oo se ne d a s to ne i n t he w al l. T he re w er e s om e m ut to n b on es l yi ng a bo ut .

" T hi s s ee ms f un ny, " s ai d T om K it te n. " W ho ha s b ee n gn awi ng b on es up h er e i n t he c hi mn ey ? I wi sh I

h ad n ev er com e! A nd w hat a f un ny s mell ? I t i s s om et hi ng l ik e m ou se, o nl y d read fu ll y s tr on g. I t m ak es m e

s ne ez e, " s ai d T om K it te n.

P a g e 3 6



H e s qu eezed t hr ou gh t he h ol e i n t he w al l and d ragg ed h im self alo ng a m os t u ncom fo rt ab ly t ig ht p as sage

w here t here w as s carcel y any l ig ht .

He gr op ed hi s w ay c ar ef ul ly f or s eve ra l ya rds ; h e w as a t t he ba ck of t he s ki rt ing bo ar d i n t he a tt ic , w he re

t her e i s a l it tl e ma rk * in t he pi ctur e.

Al l at once he fell head over heel s in the dark, down a hole, and lande d on a heap of very dirty rags .

W he n To m K it te n pi ck ed h im se lf u p a nd l ook ed a bo ut hi m, h e f ou nd hi ms el f i n a p la ce t ha t h e h ad n eve r

s ee n b ef or e, a lt hou gh h e h ad l ive d a ll hi s l if e i n t he ho us e. I t w as a v er y s ma ll s tu ff y f us ty r oo m, w it h

boards, and rafters, and cobwebs, and lath and plaster.

O ppo si te t o h im -- as f ar a wa y a s h e c oul d s it -- wa s a n e nor mo us r at .

" W ha t do y ou m ea n by t um bl ing i nt o m y be d a ll c ov er ed w it h s mu ts ? " s ai d t he r at , c ha tt er in g h is t ee th .

" P le as e, s ir , t he c hi mn ey w an ts s we ep in g, " s ai d p oo r T om K it te n.

" An na M ar ia ! A nna Ma ri a! " s que ake d t he r at . Th er e w as a p at te ri ng noi se a nd a n o ld w om an r at po ke d

h er h ea d r ou nd a r af te r.

Al l i n a mi nut e s he ru sh ed upon T om K it te n, a nd be for e he kne w w ha t wa s ha ppe ning. . .

. . . h is c oa t wa s pul le d of f, a nd he wa s r ol le d up i n a bundl e, a nd t ie d wi th s tr ing i n ve ry ha rd knot s.

A nn a M ar ia d id t he t yi ng . T he o ld r at w at ch ed h er a nd t oo k s nu ff . W he n s he h ad f in is he d, t he y b ot h s at

s tari ng at h im w it h t heir m ou th s o pen.

" Ann a Ma ri a, " s ai d t he ol d m an r at ( who se na me wa s S amue l W hi ske rs ), " Anna M ar ia , m ake m e a

kitten dumpling roly-poly pudding for my dinner. "

" I t r equ ir es d ou gh a nd a pa t o f b ut te r a nd a r ol li ng pi n, " s ai d A nn a M ar ia , c on si de ri ng T om K it te n w it h

her he ad on one s ide .

" N o, " s ai d S am ue l W hi sk er s, " m ak e i t p ro pe rl y, A nn a M ar ia , w it h b re ad cr um bs . "

" N on se ns e! B ut te r a nd d ou gh , " r ep li ed A nn a M ar ia .

T he t wo r at s c on su lt ed t og et he r f or a f ew m in ut es a nd t he n w en t a wa y.

S am ue l W hi sk er s g ot t hr ou gh a h ol e i n t he w ai ns co t a nd w en t b ol dl y d ow n t he f ro nt s ta ir ca se t o t he d ai ry

t o ge t t he b ut te r. H e d id no t m ee t a ny bo dy .

He ma de a s econd j our ney f or t he rol ling pi n. He pus he d i t in f ront of hi m wi th hi s paws , li ke a br ew er 's

man trundling a barrel.

H e c ou ld h ea r R ibb y a nd T ab it ha t al ki ng , b ut t he y w er e t oo b us y l ig ht ing t he c an dl e t o l oo k i nt o t he

chest.

T he y di d n ot s ee h im .

P a g e 3 7



A nn a M ar ia w en t d ow n b y w ay o f s ki rt in g b oa rd a nd a w in do w s hu tt er t o t he k it ch en t o s te al t he d ou gh .

S he b or ro we d a s ma ll s au ce r a nd s co ope d up t he d oug h w it h h er pa ws .

S he d id n ot o bs er ve M op pe t.

W hi le T om K it te n w as l ef t a lo ne u nd er t he f lo or o f t he a tt ic , h e w ri gg le d a bo ut a nd t ri ed t o m ew f or

help.

But hi s mout h wa s ful l of s oot a nd c obwe bs , a nd he wa s t ie d up i n s uc h ve ry t ight knot s, h e c oul d not

m ak e any bo dy h ear h im .

E xc ep t a s pi de r w ho c am e o ut o f a c ra ck i n t he c ei li ng a nd e xa mi ne d t he k no ts c ri ti ca ll y, f ro m a s af e

distance.

I t w as a j udg e of knot s be ca us e i t ha d a h abi t of t yi ng up unf or tu na te bl ue bot tl es . I t di d not of fe r t o a ss is thim.

T om K it ten w ri gg led and s qu ir med u nt il h e w as q ui te exh au st ed .

P re se nt ly t he r at s c am e b ac k a nd s et t o w or k t o m ak e h im i nt o a d um pl in g. F ir st t he y s me ar ed h im w it h

butter, and then they rolled him in the dough.

" W il l n ot t he s tr in g b e v er y i nd ig es ti bl e, A nn a M ar ia? " i nq ui red S am uel W hi sk er s.

A nn a M ar ia s ai d s he t ho ug ht t ha t i t w as o f n o c on se qu en ce ; b ut s he w is he d t ha t T om K it te n w ou ld h ol d

h is h ea d s ti ll , a s i t d is ar ra ng ed t he p as tr y. S he l ai d h ol d o f h is e ar s.

T om K it ten b it and s pi t, and m ew ed and w ri gg led; and t he r ol li ng p in w en t r ol y- po ly , r ol y; r ol y- po ly ,

r ol y. Th e r at s e ac h he ld a n e nd .

" H is t ai l i s s ti ck in g o ut ! Y ou d id no t f et ch e nou gh d ou gh , A nn a M ar ia . "

" I f et che d a s m uc h a s I c ou ld c ar ry, " r ep li ed Ann a M ar ia .

" I do not think " --sa id Samue l Whis ker s, pausing to t ake a look at Tom Ki tten-- " I do NOT think it

w il l b e a g oo d p ud di ng . I t s me ll s s oo ty . "

A nn a M ar ia w as a bou t t o a rgu e t he po in t w he n a ll a t o nc e t he re b eg an t o be ot he r s ou nd s u p a bo ve -- th e

r as pi ng n oi se o f a s aw , a nd t he n oi se o f a l it tl e d og , s cr at ch in g a nd y el pi ng !

T he r at s d ro pp ed t he r ol li ng p in and l is tened att en ti vely .

" W e a re d is co ve re d a nd i nt er ru pt ed , A nn a M ar ia ; l et u s c ol le ct o ur p ro pe rt y- -a nd o th er p eo pl e' s- -a nd

d ep ar t a t o nc e.

" I fe ar t ha t we s hal l be obl ige d t o l ea ve thi s puddi ng.

" B ut I a m p er su ad ed t ha t t he k no ts w ou ld h av e p ro ve d i nd ig es ti bl e, w ha te ve r y ou m ay u rg e t o t he

contrary. "

P a g e 3 8



" Come a way at onc e a nd help me to tie up some mutton bones in a c ount erpane, " sa id Anna Maria . " I

ha ve go t ha lf a s mok ed h am hi dd en i n t he c hi mn ey. "

S o i t h ap pe ne d t ha t by t he t im e J oh n J oi ne r ha d g ot t he p la nk u p- - t he re w as n ob od y h er e u nd er t he

f lo or excep t t he r ol li ng p in and T om K it ten i n a v er y d ir ty d um pl in g!

B ut t he re w as a s tr on g s me ll o f r at s; a nd J ohn J oi ne r s pe nt t he r es t of t he m or ni ng s ni ff ing a nd wh in in g,

a nd w agg ing hi s t ai l, a nd go ing r ou nd a nd r oun d wi th h is he ad i n t he h ol e l ike a g im le t.

T he n h e n ai le d t he p la nk d ow n a ga in a nd p ut h is t oo ls i n h is b ag , a nd c am e d ow ns ta ir s.

T he cat f am il y h ad q ui te r ecov er ed . T hey i nv it ed h im t o s tay t o d in ner.

T he du mp li ng h ad b ee n p ee le d o ff T om K it te n a nd m ade s ep ar at el y i nt o a b ag p ud di ng , w it h c ur ra nt s i n i t

t o h id e t he s mu ts .

Th ey ha d be en ob li ge d t o put To m Ki tt en i nt o a ho t ba th t o g et t he b ut te r of f.

J oh n J oi ne r s me lt t he p ud di ng ; b ut h e r eg re tt ed t ha t h e h ad n ot t im e t o s ta y t o d in ne r, b ec au se h e h ad j us t

f in is he d m ak in g a w he el ba rr ow f or M is s P ot te r, a nd s he h ad o rd er ed t wo h en c oo ps .

A nd w he n I w as g oi ng t o t he po st l at e i n t he a ft er no on -- I l ooke d up t he l an d f ro m t he c or ne r, a nd I s aw

M r. S am uel W hi sk er s and h is w if e o n t he r un , w it h b ig b un dl es o n a l it tl e w heel barr ow , w hi ch l oo ked

very much like mine.

Th ey we re j us t t ur ni ng i n a t t he ga te t o t he ba rn o f F ar me r Pot at oe s.

S am uel W hi sk er s w as p uf fi ng and o ut o f b reat h. A nn a M ar ia w as s ti ll arg ui ng i n s hr il l t on es .

Sh e s ee me d t o k now he r w ay, a nd s he s ee me d t o ha ve a qu ant it y of l ug ga ge .

I a m s ur e _I _ ne ve r g av e he r l ea ve t o b or row my w he el ba rr ow !

The y we nt i nt o t he ba rn a nd ha ul ed t he ir pa rc el s wi th a bi t of s tr ing t o t he t op of t he ha ymow.

A ft er t ha t, t he re w er e n o m or e r at s f or a l on g t im e a t T ab it ha T wi tc hi t' s.

A s f or F ar me r Po ta to es , he h as b ee n d ri ve n n ea rl y di st ra ct ed . T he re a re r at s, a nd r at s, a nd r at s i n hi s

barn! They eat up the chicken food, and steal the oats and bran, and make holes in the meal bags.

A nd t hey are all d es cend ed f ro m M r. and M rs . S am uel W hi sk er s -- chi ld ren and g rand ch il dr en and

great-great-grandchildren.

Th er e i s no e nd t o t he m!

M op pe t a nd M it te ns h av e g ro wn u p i nt o v er y g oo d r at -c at ch er s.

T hey g o o ut r at -cat ch in g i n t he v il lage, and t hey f in d p lent y o f emp lo ym en t. T hey charg e s o m uch a d ozen

and earn their living very comfortably.

P a g e 3 9



Th ey ha ng u p t he r at s' t ai ls i n a r ow on t he b ar n doo r, t o s ho w how m any t he y h ave c au ght -- doz en s a nd

d ozen s o f t hem.

B ut T om K it te n h as a lw ay s b ee n a fr ai d o f a r at ; h e n ev er d ur st f ac e a ny th in g t ha t i s b ig ge r t ha n- -

A M ou se .

THE TALE OF THE

FLOPSY BUNNIES[ Fo r A ll L it tl e F ri en ds o f M r. M cG re go r a nd P et er a nd B en ja mi n]

I t i s s ai d t ha t t he e ff ec t of e at in g t oo m uc h l et tu ce i s " s op or if ic . "

I h av e n ev er f el t s le ep y a ft er e at in g l et tu ce s; b ut t he n I a m n ot a r ab bi t.

T hey cer tain ly h ad a v er y s op or if ic eff ect u po n t he F lo ps y B un ni es !

W hen B en jami n B un ny g rew u p, h e m ar ri ed h is C ou si n F lo ps y. T hey h ad a l ar ge f am il y, and t hey w er e

very improvident and cheerful.

I d o n ot r em em ber t he s ep ar at e n am es o f t heir chi ld ren; t hey w er e g en er al ly cal led t he " F lo ps y B un ni es .

"

A s t he re w as n ot a lw ay s q ui te e no ug h t o e at ,- -B en ja mi n u se d t o b or ro w c ab ba ge s f ro m F lo ps y' s

brother, Peter Rabbit, who kept a nursery garden.

S om et im es P et er R ab bi t h ad n o c ab ba ge s t o s pa re .

W he n t hi s h ap pe ne d, t he F lo ps y B un ni es w en t a cr os s t he f ie ld t o a r ub bi sh h ea p, i n t he d it ch o ut si de M r.

McGregor's garden.

M r. M cG re go r' s r ub bi sh h ea p w as a m ix tu re . T he re w er e j am p ot s a nd p ap er b ag s, a nd m ou nt ai ns o f

cho pp ed g rass f ro m t he m ow in g m achi ne ( wh ich alw ay s t as ted o il y) , and s om e r ot ten v eg et ab le m ar ro wsa nd a n o ld b oo t o r t wo . O ne d ay -- oh j oy !- -t he re w er e a q ua nt it y o f o ve rg ro wn l et tu ce s, w hi ch h ad "

s ho t " i nt o f lo wer.

T he F lo ps y B un ni es s im pl y s tu ff ed l et tu ces. B y d eg rees , o ne aft er ano th er , t hey w er e o vercom e w it h

s lu mbe r, a nd l ay do wn i n t he m ow n g ra ss .

B en jami n w as n ot s o m uch o vercom e as h is chi ld ren. B ef or e g oi ng t o s leep h e w as s uf fi ci en tl y w id e

a wake t o put a pa pe r ba g over his he ad t o ke ep off the fl ie s.

T he l it tl e F lo ps y B un ni es s lept d el ig ht fu ll y i n t he w ar m s un . F ro m t he l aw n b ey on d t he g ar den cam e t hed is tant clack et ty s ou nd o f t he m ow in g m achi ne. T he b lu e- b ot tl es b uzzed abo ut t he w al l, and a l it tl e o ld

m ou se p ic ke d o ve r t he r ub bi sh a mo ng t he j am p ot s.

P a g e 4 0



( I c an t el l y ou h er n am e, s he w as c al le d T ho ma si na T it tl e- m ou se , a w oo dm ou se w it h a l on g t ai l. )

S he r us tl ed acro ss t he p ap er b ag , and awakened B en jami n B un ny .

T he m ou se apo lo gi zed p ro fu sely , and s ai d t hat s he k new P et er R ab bi t.

W hi le s he a nd B en ja mi n w er e t al ki ng , c lo se u nd er t he w al l, t he y h ea rd a h ea vy t re ad a bo ve t he ir h ea ds ;

a nd s ud de nl y M r. M cG re go r e mp ti ed o ut a s ac kf ul o f l aw n m ow in gs r ig ht up on t he t op o f t he s le epi ng

F lo ps y B un ni es ! B en ja mi n s hr an k d ow n u nd er h is p ap er b ag . T he m ou se h id i n a j am p ot .

T he l it tl e r ab bi ts s mi le d s we et ly i n t he ir s le ep u nd er t he s ho we r o f g ra ss ; t he y d id n ot a wa ke b ec au se t he

l ett uces h ad b een s o s op or i fi c.

T he y d re am t t ha t t he ir m ot he r F lo ps y w as t uc ki ng t he m u p i n a h ay b ed .

M r. M cG re go r l oo ke d d ow n a ft er e mp ty in g h is s ac k. H e s aw s om e f un ny l it tl e b ro wn t ip s o f e ar ss ti ck in g u p t hr ou gh t he l aw n m ow in gs . H e s tared at t hem f or s om e t im e.

P re se nt ly a f ly s et tl ed o n o ne o f t he m a nd i t m ov ed .

M r. M cG re go r c li mb ed d ow n o n t o t he r ub bi sh h ea p- -

" O ne , t wo, t hr ee , f our ! f ive ! s ix l ee tl e r abbi ts ! " s ai d he a s h e d roppe d t he m i nt o hi s s ac k. T he Fl ops y

B un ni es d ream t t hat t heir m ot her w as t ur ni ng t hem o ver i n b ed . T hey s ti rr ed a l it tl e i n t heir s leep , b ut s ti ll

t he y d id no t w ak e u p.

M r. M cG re go r t ie d up t he s ac k a nd l ef t i t o n t he w al l.

H e w ent t o p ut a wa y t he m ow in g m ac hi ne .

W hi le h e w as g on e, M rs . F lo ps y B un ny ( wh o h ad r em ai ne d a t h om e) c am e a cr os s t he f ie ld .

S he l oo ke d s us pi ci ou sl y a t t he s ac k a nd w on de re d w he re e ve ry bo dy w as ?

Th en t he mou se c ame ou t of he r j am p ot , a nd B enj am in t ook t he pa pe r b ag of f hi s he ad, a nd t he y t ol d

the doleful tale.

B en jami n and F lo ps y w er e i n d es pair , t hey cou ld n ot u nd o t he s tr in g.

B ut M rs . T it tl em ou se w as a r es ou rc ef ul p er so n. S he n ib bl ed a h ol e i n t he b ot to m c or ne r o f t he s ac k.

T he l it tl e r ab bi ts w er e p ul le d o ut a nd p in ch ed t o w ak e t he m.

T heir p ar en ts s tu ff ed t he emp ty s ack w it h t hr ee r ot ten v eg et ab le m ar ro ws , an o ld b lack in gb ru sh and t wo

decayed turnips.

T he n t he y a ll h id u nd er a b us h a nd w at ch ed f or M r. M cG re go r.

M r. M cG re gor c am e b ac k a nd p ic ke d u p t he s ac k, a nd c ar ri ed i t o ff .

P a g e 4 1



H e c ar ri ed i t h an gi ng d ow n, a s i f i t w er e r at he r h ea vy .

T he F lo ps y B un ni es f ol lo wed at a s af e d is tance.

T hey w at ch ed h im g o i nt o h is h ou se.

An d t he n t he y c re pt up t o t he w indow t o l is te n.

M r. M cG re go r t hr ew d ow n t he s ac k o n t he s to ne f lo or i n a w ay t ha t w ou ld h av e b ee n e xt re me ly p ai nf ul

t o t he F lo ps y B un ni es , i f t he y h ad h ap pe ne d t o h av e b ee n i ns id e i t.

T he y c ou ld h ea r h im d ra g h is c ha ir o n t he f la gs , a nd c hu ck le --

" O ne , t wo , t hr ee , f ou r, f iv e, s ix l ee tl e r ab bi ts ! " s ai d M r. M cG re go r.

" E h? W ha t' s t ha t? W ha t h av e t he y b ee n s po il in g n ow ? " e nq ui re d M rs . M cG re go r.

" O ne , t wo , t hr ee , f ou r, f iv e, s ix l ee tl e f at r ab bi ts ! " r ep ea te d M r. M cG re go r, c ou nt in g o n h is f in ge rs - - "

o ne , t wo , t hr ee -- "

" Do n' t yo u be s il ly : wh at d o yo u m ea n, y ou s il ly ol d m an ? "

" I n t he s ac k! o ne , t wo , t hr ee , f ou r, f iv e, s ix! " r ep li ed M r. M cGr egor .

(The youngest Flopsy Bunny got upon the windowsill.)

M rs . M cG re gor t ook ho ld of t he s ac k a nd f el t i t. Sh e s ai d s he c oul d f ee l s ix , bu t t he y m us t b e OL D

r ab bi ts , b ec au se t he y w er e s o h ar d a nd a ll d if fe re nt s ha pe s.

" Not fit to eat; but the skins will do fine to line my old cloak. "

" Li ne your old cl oa k? " s hout ed Mr . M cG re gor -- " I sha ll s el l the m a nd buy mys el f bac cy! "

" Ra bbi t t oba cc o! I s ha ll s ki n t he m a nd c ut of f t he ir he ads . "

M rs . M cG re go r u nt ie d t he s ac k a nd p ut h er h an d i ns id e.

W he n s he f el t t he v ege ta bl es s he be ca me v er y ve ry a ngr y. S he s ai d t ha t M r. M cGr egor ha d " don e i t a purpose. "

A nd M r. M cG re go r w as v er y a ng ry t oo . O ne o f t he r ot te n m ar ro ws c am e f ly in g t hr ou gh t he k it ch en

window, and hit the youngest Flopsy Bunny.

I t w as r at he r h ur t.

T he n B enj am in a nd F lo ps y t ho ug ht t ha t i t wa s t im e t o g o h om e.

S o M r. M cG re go r d id n ot g et h is t oba cc o, a nd M rs . M cG re go r d id no t g et h er r ab bi t s ki ns .

B ut n ex t C hr is tm as T ho masi na T it tl em ou se g ot a p resent o f eno ug h r ab bi t w oo l t o m ak e h er self a clo ak

a nd a ho od, a nd a ha nds ome mu ff a nd a p ai r of wa rm mi tt ens .

P a g e 4 2



THE TALE OF MRS.

TITTLEMOUSE[Nellie's Little Book]

O nc e u po n a t im e t he re w as a w oo dm ou se , a nd h er n am e w as M rs . T it tl em ou se .

Sh e l ive d i n a ba nk unde r a he dge .

S uc h a f un ny h ou se ! T he re w er e y ar ds a nd y ar ds o f s an dy p as sa ge s, l ea di ng t o s to re - r oo ms a nd n ut

c el la rs a nd s ee d c el la rs , a ll a mo ng st t he r oo ts o f t he h ed ge .

T he re w as a k it ch en , a p ar lo r, a p ant ry, a nd a l ar de r.

A ls o, t he re w as M rs . T it tl e- m ou se 's b ed ro om , w he re s he s le pt i n a l it tl e b ox b ed !

M rs . T it tl em ou se w as a m os t t er ri bl y t id y p ar ti cu lar l it tl e m ou se, alw ay s s weep in g and d us ti ng t he s of t

sandy floors.

S om et im es a b ee tl e l os t i ts w ay i n t he p as sa ge s.

" S hu h! s hu h! l it tl e d ir ty f eet! " s ai d M rs . T it tl em ou se, clatt er in g h er d us tp an .

And one day a l ittle old woman ra n up and down i n a red spott y cloak.

" Y ou r h ou se i s o n f ir e, M ot he r L ad yb ir d! F ly a wa y h om e t o y ou r c hi ld re n! "

Anot he r da y, a bi g f at s pi de r c ame i n t o s he lt er f rom t he r ai n.

" B eg p ar do n, i s t hi s n ot M is s M uf fe t' s? "

" G o a wa y, you bol d ba d s pi de r! Le avi ng e nds of c obwe b a ll o ve r m y n ic e c le an hou se ! "

S he b un dl ed t he s pi de r o ut a t a w in do w.

H e l et hi ms el f do wn t he he dg e wi th a l on g t hi n bi t of s tr in g.

M rs . T it tl em ou se w en t o n h er w ay t o a d is ta nt s to re ro om , t o f et ch c he rr ys to ne s a nd t hi st le - d ow n s ee d

for dinner.

A ll a lo ng t he p as sa ge s he s ni ff ed , a nd l oo ke d a t t he f lo or .

" I s me ll a s me ll of hone y; i s it t he cows lips out side , i n the he dge ? I am sur e I c an s ee t he ma rks of l it tled ir ty f eet. "

P a g e 4 3



S ud denl y r ou nd a cor ner, s he m et B ab bi tt y B um bl e- - " Z izz, B izz, B izzz! " s ai d t he b um bl e b ee.

M rs . T it tl em ou se l oo ke d a t h er s ev er el y. S he w is he d t ha t s he h ad a b ro om .

" Goo d- da y, Ba bbi tt y Bu mb le ; I s ho ul d be g la d t o b uy s ome be es - w ax. B ut w ha t a re y ou do ing d ow n

h er e? W hy d o y ou a lw ay s c om e i n a t a w in do w, a nd s ay , Z iz z, B iz z, B iz zz ? " M rs . T it tl e- m ou se b ega n

t o g et c ro ss .

" Z iz z, W iz z, W iz zz ! " r ep li ed B ab bi tt y B um bl e i n a p ee vi sh s qu ea k. S he s id le d do wn a p as sa ge , a nd

d is ap pe ar ed i nt o a s to re ro om w hi ch h ad b ee n u se d f or a co rn s.

M rs . T it tl em ou se h ad eaten t he acor ns b ef or e C hr is t mas ; t he s to rer oo m o ug ht t o h av e b een emp ty .

B ut i t wa s f ul l o f u nt idy dr y mo ss .

M rs . T it tl em ou se b eg an t o p ul l o ut t he m os s. T hr ee o r f ou r o th er b ee s p ut t he ir h ea ds o ut , a nd b uz ze d

fiercely.

" I a m no t i n t he ha bi t of l et ti ng l odg ings ; t hi s i s a n i nt rus ion! " s ai d M rs . T it tl em ous e. " I wi ll ha ve t he m

turned out -- " " Buz z! Buz z! Buzzz ! " -- " I wonder who would help me? " " Biz z, Wi zz , Wiz zz ! "

-- " I will not have Mr. Jackson; he never wipes his feet. "

M rs . T it tl em ou se d ecid ed t o l eave t he b ees t il l aft er d in ner.

W he n s he g ot b ac k t o t he pa rl or , s he he ar d s ome on e c oug hi ng i n a f at v oi ce ; a nd t he re s at M r. J ac ks on

himself.

H e w as s it ti ng all o ver a s mall r ocki ng chair , t wi dd li ng h is t hu mb s and s mi li ng , w it h h is f eet o n t he f en der.

He l ive d i n a dr ain be low t he he dge , i n a ve ry di rt y we t di tc h.

" How do you do, Mr. Ja ckson? De ar y me , you have got ver y we t! "

" T ha nk y ou , t ha nk y ou , t ha nk yo u, M rs . T it tl em ou se ! I 'l l s it a wh il e a nd d ry m ys el f, " s ai d M r. J ac ks on .

H e s at a nd s mi le d, a nd t he w at er d ri pp ed o ff h is c oa t t ai ls . M rs . T it tl em ou se w en t r ou nd w it h a m op .

He sat such a whil e tha t he ha d to be asked if he would ta ke s ome dinner ?

F ir st s he o ff er ed h im c he rr y- s to ne s. " T ha nk y ou , t ha nk y ou , M rs . T it tl em ou se ! N o t ee th , n o t ee th , n o

t ee th ! " s ai d M r. J ac ks on .

H e o pe ne d h is m ou th m os t u nn ec es sa ri ly w id e; h e c er ta in ly h ad n ot a t oo th i n h is he ad .

T hen s he o ff er ed h im t hi st le- d ow n s eed- - " T id dl y, w id dl y, w id dl y! P ou ff , p ou ff , p uf f. " s ai d M r.

J ac ks on . H e b le w t he t hi st le - d ow n a ll o ve r t he r oo m.

" T hank y ou , t hank y ou , t hank y ou , M rs . T it tl em ou se! N ow w hat I r eall y- -R EA LL Y s ho ul d l ik e- - w ou ld

be a little dish of honey! "

P a g e 4 4



" I a m a fr ai d I ha ve no t go t a ny, Mr . J ac ks on! " s ai d Mr s. Ti tt le mous e.

" T id dl y, w idd ly , wi ddl y, M rs . Ti tt le mou se ! " s ai d t he s mi li ng M r. J ac ks on , " I c an SM EL L i t; t ha t i s w hy

I came to call. "

M r. J ac ks on r os e p on de ro us ly f ro m t he t ab le , a nd b eg an t o l oo k i nt o t he c up bo ar ds .

M rs . T it tl em ou se f ol lo wed h im w it h a d is hclo th , t o w ip e h is l ar ge w et f oo tm ar ks o ff t he p ar lo r f lo or .

W he n h e h ad c on vi nc ed h im se lf t ha t t he re w as n o h on ey i n t he c up bo ar ds , h e b eg an t o w al k d ow n t he

passage.

" I nd ee d, i nd ee d, y ou w il l s ti ck f as t, M r. Ja ck so n! "

" Tiddly, widdly, widdly, Mrs. Tittlemouse! "

F ir st h e s qu ee ze d i nt o t he p an tr y.

" T id dl y, w id dl y, w id dl y? N o h on ey ? N o h on ey , M rs . T it tl em ou se? "

T he re w er e t hr ee c re ep y- cr aw ly p eo pl e h id in g i n t he p la te r ac k. T wo o f t he m g ot a wa y; b ut t he l it tl es t

o ne h e cau gh t.

T he n h e s qu ee ze d i nt o t he l ar de r. M is s B ut te rf ly w as t as ti ng t he s uga r; b ut s he f le w a wa y o ut o f t he

window.

" T id dl y, w id dl y, w id dl y, M rs . T it tl em ou se; y ou s eem t o h av e p lent y o f v is it or s! "

" And without any invitation! " said Mrs. Thomasina Tittlemouse.

T he y we nt a lo ng t he s an dy pa ss age -- " T id dl y, w id dl y- - " " B uz z! W iz z! W iz z! "

H e m et B ab bi tt y r ou nd a c or ne r, a nd s na pp ed h er u p, a nd pu t h er do wn a ga in .

" I d o n ot l ik e b um bl e b ee s. T he y a re a ll o ve r b ri st le s, " s ai d M r. J ac ks on , w ip in g h is m ou th w it h h is c oa t

sleeve.

" G et o ut , y ou n as ty o ld t oa d! " s hr ie ke d B ab bi tt y B um bl e.

" I s hall g o d is tr acted! " s co ld ed M rs . T it tl em ou se.

S he s hu t h er se lf u p i n t he n ut c el la r w hi le M r. J ac ks on p ul le d o ut t he b ee s- ne st . H e s ee me d t o h av e n o

objection to stings.

W hen M rs . T it tl emo us e v en tu red t o com e o ut - -every bo dy h ad g on e away.

B ut t he u nt id in es s w as s om et hi ng d re ad fu l- - " N ev er d id I s ee s uc h a m es s- -s me ar s o f h on ey ; a nd m os s,

a nd t hi st le do wn- -a nd m ar ks o f b ig a nd l it tl e d ir ty f ee t- - a ll o ve r m y n ic e c le an h ou se ! "

S he g at he re d up t he m os s a nd t he r em ai ns of t he b ee s- wa x.

P a g e 4 5



Th en s he w ent ou t a nd f et che d s ome t wi gs , t o pa rt ly c lo se up t he f ro nt do or .

" I wi ll ma ke i t too s ma ll for Mr . J acks on! "

S he f et ch ed s of t s oa p, a nd f la nn el , a nd a n ew s cr ub bi ng b ru sh f ro m t he s to re ro om . B ut s he w as t oo t ir ed

t o d o a ny m or e. Fi rs t s he f el l a sl ee p i n h er c ha ir , a nd t he n s he w ent t o b ed.

" W il l i t e ve r b e t id y a ga in? " s ai d p oo r M rs . T it tl em ou se .

Next morning she got up very early and began a spring cleaning which lasted a fort- night.

S he s we pt , a nd s cr ub be d, a nd d us te d; a nd s he r ub be d u p t he f ur ni tu re w it h b ee s- w ax , a nd p ol is he d h er

little tin spoons.

W he n i t w as a ll b ea ut if ul ly n ea t a nd c le an , s he g av e a p ar ty t o f iv e ot he r l it tl e m ic e, w it ho ut M r. J ac ks on .

He sme lt the pa rt y and ca me up the ba nk, but he c ould not s quee ze in at t he door.

S o t he y h an de d h im o ut a co rn c up fu ls o f h on ey de w t hr ou gh t he w in do w, a nd h e w as n ot a t a ll o ff en de d.

H e s at o ut si de i n t he s un , and s ai d- - " T id dl y, w id dl y, w id dl y! Y ou r v er y g oo d h ealt h, M rs . T it tl em ou se!

"

THE TALE OF TIMMY

TIPTOES[For Many Unknown Little Friends, Including Monica]

O nc e u po n a t im e t he re w as a l it tl e f at c om fo rt ab le g re y s qu ir re l, c al le d T im my T ip to es . H e h ad a n es t

t ha tc he d w it h l ea ve s i n t he t op o f a t al l t re e; a nd h e h ad a l it tl e s qu ir re l w if e c al le d G oo dy .

T im my T ip to es s at o ut , enj oy in g t he b reeze; h e w hi sk ed h is t ai l and chu ck led- - " L it tl e w if e G oo dy , t he

n ut s a re r ip e; w e m us t l ay u p a s to re f or w in te r a nd s pr in g. " G oo dy T ip to es w as b us y p us hi ng m os s

unde r t he tha tc h- - " T he nes t i s s o s nug, we s hal l be s ound a sl ee p a ll w int er . " " The n we s ha ll wa ke up a llt he t hi nn er , w hen t here i s n ot hi ng t o eat i n s pr in g- t im e, " r ep li ed p ru dent T im ot hy .

W hen T im my and G oo dy T ip to es cam e t o t he n ut t hi ck et , t hey f ou nd o th er s qu ir rels w er e t here alr eady .

T im my t oo k o ff hi s j ac ke t a nd h un g i t o n a t wi g; t he y w or ke d a wa y qu ie tl y b y t he ms el ve s.

E very d ay t hey m ad e s ev er al j ou rn ey s and p icked q uant it ies o f n ut s. T hey car ri ed t hem away i n b ag s,

a nd s to re d t he m i n s ev er al h ol lo w s tu mp s n ea r t he t re e w he re t he y h ad b ui lt t he ir n es t.

Whe n t he se s tumps we re f ul l, t he y be ga n t o e mpt y t he b ags i nt o a ho le hi gh up a t re e, t ha t ha d be longe dt o a w oo dp eck er; t h e n ut s r att l ed d ow n- - do wn -- d ow n i ns i de.

P a g e 4 6



" How s ha ll you e ve r ge t the m out a ga in? It i s l ike a money box! " s ai d Goody.

" I s hall b e m uch t hi nn er b ef or e s pr in gt im e, m y l ov e, " s ai d T im my T ip to es , p eepi ng i nt o t he h ol e.

T hey d id col lect q uant it ies- - b ecau se t hey d id n ot l os e t hem! S qu ir rels w ho b ur y t heir n ut s i n t he g ro un d

l os e m or e t han h al f, b ecaus e t hey can no t r em em ber t he p lace.

T he m os t f or ge tf ul s qu ir re l i n t he w oo d w as c al le d S il ve rt ai l. H e b eg an t o d ig , a nd he c ou ld no t

r em em be r. A nd t he n h e d ug a ga in a nd f oun d s om e n ut s t ha t d id n ot b el on g t o hi m; a nd t he re w as a f ig ht .

A nd o th er s qu ir rels b eg an t o d ig ,- -t he w ho le w oo d w as i n com mo ti on !

U nf or tu nately , j us t at t hi s t im e a f lo ck o f l it tl e b ir ds f lew b y, f ro m b us h t o b us h, s earchi ng f or g reen

cat er pi ll ar s and s pi ders . T here w er e s ev er al s or ts o f l it tl e b ir ds , t wi tt er in g d if ferent s on gs .

T he f ir st o ne s an g- - " W ho 's b in d ig gi ng -u p M Y n ut s? W ho 's -b een- d ig gi ng -u p M Y n ut s? "

A nd a no th er s an g- - " L it tl e b it a b re ad a nd -N O- ch ee se ! L it tl e b it -a - b re ad a n' -N O- ch ee se ! "

T he s qu ir rels f ol lo wed and l is tened. T he f ir st l it tl e b ir d f lew i nt o t he b us h w here T im my and G oo dy

T ip to es w er e q ui et ly t yi ng u p t he ir b ag s, a nd i t s an g- - " W ho 's -b in d ig gi ng -u p M Y n ut s? W ho 's b ee n

digging-up MY-nuts? "

T im my T ip to es w en t o n w it h h is w or k w it ho ut r ep ly in g; i nd eed, t he l it tl e b ir d d id n ot exp ect an ans wer. I t

w as o nl y s in gi ng i ts n at ur al s on g, and i t m eant n ot hi ng at all .

B ut w hen t he o th er s qu ir rels h eard t hat s on g, t hey r us hed u po n T im my T ip to es and cuf fed and s cr at ch ed

h im , a nd up se t hi s ba g o f nu ts . T he i nno ce nt l it tl e b ir d w hi ch h ad c aus ed a ll t he m is chi ef , f le w a wa y i n a

fright!

T im my r ol le d o ve r a nd o ve r, a nd t he n t ur ne d t ai l a nd f le d t o- w ar ds h is n es t, f ol lo we d b y a c ro wd o f

squirrels shouting-- " Who's-been digging-up MY-nuts? "

T he y c au gh t h im a nd d ra gg ed h im u p t he v er y s am e t re e, w he re t he re w as t he l it tl e r ou nd h ol e, a nd t he y

pushed him in. The hole was much too small for Timmy Tiptoes' figure. They squeezed him dreadfully, it

w as a w on de r t he y d id n ot b re ak h is r ib s. " W e w il l l ea ve h im h er e t il l h e c on fe ss es , " s ai d S il ve rt ai l

S qu ir rel and h e s ho ut ed i nt o t he h ol e-- " W ho 's - b een- di gg in g- up M Y- nu ts ? "

T im my T ip to es m ad e n o r ep ly ; h e h ad t um bl ed d ow n i ns id e t he t re e, up on h al f a p ec k of n ut s b el on gi ngt o h im self . H e l ay q ui te s tu nn ed and s ti ll .

Go ody T ipt oe s p ic ke d u p t he nut ba gs a nd we nt h om e. Sh e m ade a c up o f t ea f or T imm y; bu t h e d idn' t

c om e a nd d id n' t c om e.

G oo dy T ip to es p as se d a l on el y a nd u nh ap py n ig ht . N ex t m or ni ng s he v en tu re d b ac k t o t he n ut b us he s t o

l oo k f or h im ; b ut t he o th er u nk in d s qu ir re ls d ro ve h er a wa y.

S he w an de re d a ll o ve r t he w oo d, c al li ng --

" T im my T ip to es ! T im my T ip - t oes! O h, w here i s T im my T ip to es ? "

I n t he m ea nt im e T im my T ip to es c am e t o hi s s ens es . H e f ou nd h im se lf t uc ke d u p i n a l it tl e m os s b ed , ve ry

P a g e 4 7



m uc h i n t he d ar k, f ee li ng s or e; i t s ee me d t o b e u nd er g ro un d. T im my c ou gh ed a nd g ro an ed , b ec au se h is

r ib s h ur te d hi m. T he re w as a c hi rpy n oi se , a nd a s ma ll s tr ip ed C hi pm un k a pp ea re d w it h a n ig ht l ig ht , a nd

h op ed h e f el t b et te r?

I t wa s m os t k in d t o Ti mmy Ti pt oe s; i t l ent hi m i ts n ig ht ca p; a nd t he ho us e w as f ul l o f p rov is io ns .

T he C hi pm un k e xp la in ed t ha t i t h ad r ai ne d n ut s t hr ou gh t he t op o f t he t re e- - " B es id es , I f ou nd a f ew buried! " It laughed and chuckled when it heard Timmy's story. While Timmy was confined to bed, it

' ti ce d h im t o e at q ua nt it ie s - - " B ut h ow s ha ll I e ve r g et ou t t hr ou gh t ha t h ol e u nl es s I t hi n m ys el f? M y w if e

w il l b e a nx io us ! " " J us t a not he r nu t- -or t wo n ut s; l et m e c ra ck t he m f or y ou, " s ai d t he C hi pm unk . T im my

T ip to es g rew f at ter and f at t er !

Now Goody Tiptoes had set to work again by herself. She did not put any more nuts into the

w oo dp ec ke r' s h ol e, b ec au se s he h ad a lw ay s d ou bt ed h ow t he y c ou ld b e g ot o ut a ga in . S he h id t he m

u nd er a t re e r oo t; t he y r at tl ed d ow n, d ow n, d ow n. O nc e w he n G oo dy e mp ti ed a n e xt ra b ig b ag fu l, t he re

w as a d ecid ed s qu eak; and n ex t t im e G oo dy b ro ug ht ano th er b ag fu l, a l it tl e s tr ip ed C hi pm un k s cr am bl ed

out i n a hurr y.

" I t i s g et ti ng p er fect ly f ul l- up d ow ns tair s; t he s it ti ng r oo m i s f ul l, and t hey are r ol li ng alo ng t he p as sage;

a nd m y h us ba nd , C hi pp y H ac ke e, h as r un a wa y a nd l ef t m e. W ha t i s t he e xp la na ti on o f t he se s ho we rs o f

n ut s? "

" I a m s ur e I be g y our pa rdo n; I di d n ot kno w t ha t a ny bod y l ive d he re , " s ai d M rs . Go od y Ti pt oe s; " bu t

wh er e i s Chi ppy Ha ck ee ? M y h us ba nd, T immy Ti pt oe s, ha s r un a wa y t oo . " " I kn ow whe re Chi ppy i s; a

l it tl e b ir d t ol d m e, " s ai d M rs . C hi pp y H ac ke e.

S he l ed t he w ay t o t he w ood pe ck er 's t re e, a nd t he y l is te ne d a t t he h ol e.

D ow n b el ow t he re w as a n oi se o f n ut cr ac ke rs , a nd a f at s qu ir re l v oi ce a nd a t hi n s qu ir re l v oi ce w er e

singing together--

" My l it tl e ol d man a nd I fe ll out, How sha ll we br ing thi s ma tt er a bout ? Br ing it a bout a s wel l a s you ca n,

A nd ge t y ou go ne , y ou l it tl e o ld m an ! "

" Y ou c ou ld s qu ee ze i n, t hr ou gh t ha t l it tl e r ou nd h ol e, " s ai d G oo dy T ip to es . " Y es , I c ou ld , " s ai d t he

C hi pm un k, " b ut m y h us band , C hi pp y H ackee, b it es ! "

D ow n b el ow t he re w as a n oi se o f c ra ck ing n ut s a nd n ibb li ng ; a nd t he n t he f at s qu ir re l v oi ce a nd t he t hi nsquirrel voice sang--

" F or t he di dd lu m d ay D ay d id dl e d ur n d i! D ay d id dl e d id dl e d um d ay! "

T he n G oo dy p ee pe d i n a t t he h ol e, a nd c al le d d ow n- - " T im my T ip to es ! O h f ie , T im my T ip to es ! " A nd

T im my r ep li ed , " I s t hat y ou , G oo dy T ip to es ? W hy , cer tain ly ! "

H e c am e up a nd k is se d G ood y t hr ou gh t he ho le ; bu t he w as s o f at t ha t he c oul d not g et ou t.

C hi ppy H ac ke e wa s n ot t oo f at , b ut h e d id no t w an t t o c om e; h e s ta ye d do wn b el ow a nd c huc kl ed .

And so it went on for a fort- night; till a big wind blew off the top of the tree, and opened up the hole and

l et i n t he r ai n.

P a g e 4 8



T hen T im my T ip to es cam e o ut , and w en t h om e w it h an u mb rell a.

B ut C hi pp y H ackee con ti nu ed t o cam p o ut f or ano th er w eek, alt ho ug h i t w as u ncom fo rt ab le.

At l as t a l ar ge be ar c ame wa lki ng t hr ough t he w ood. P er ha ps h e a ls o wa s l oo ki ng f or nu ts ; h e s ee me d t o

be sniffing around.

C hi pp y H ac ke e w en t h om e i n a h ur ry !

An d w he n Ch ippy Ha ck ee g ot h ome , he f ound he ha d c aug ht a c ol d i n hi s he ad ; a nd he wa s m or e

uncomfortable still.

A nd n ow T im my a nd G oo dy T ip to es k ee p t he ir n ut s to re f as te ne d u p w it h a l it tl e p ad lo ck .

A nd w henever t hat l it tl e b ir d s ees t he C hi pm un ks , h e s in gs -- " W ho 's -b een- di gg in g- u p M Y- nu ts ? W ho 's

been digging-up MY-nuts? " But nobody ever answers!

THE TALE OF MR. TOD[For William Francis of Ulva--Someday!]

I h av e m ad e m any b ook s a bo ut w el l- be ha ve d p eo pl e. No w, f or a c ha nge , I a m go in g t o m ak e a s to ry

a bo ut t wo d is ag re ea bl e p eo pl e, c al le d T om my B ro ck a nd M r. T od .

Nobody could call Mr. Tod " nice. " The rabbits could not bear him; they could smell him half a mile off.

He wa s of a wa nde ri ng ha bi t a nd h e ha d f oxy whi ske rs ; t he y ne ve r kne w w he re h e w oul d b e ne xt .

O ne d ay h e w as l iv in g i n a s ti ck - h ou se i n t he c op pi ce [ gr ov e] , c au si ng t er ro r t o t he f am il y o f o ld M r.

B en jami n B ou ncer . N ex t d ay h e m ov ed i nt o a p ol lard w il lo w n ear t he l ak e, f ri gh teni ng t he w il d d ucks and

t he w at er r at s.

I n w int er a nd e ar ly s pr in g he m igh t g en er al ly b e f oun d i n a n e ar th a mo ng st t he r oc ks a t t he t op o f B ul l

B an ks , u nd er O at m eal C rag.

H e h ad h al f a do ze n h ous es , but h e wa s s el dom a t h om e.

T he h ou se s w er e n ot a lw ay s e mp ty w he n M r. T od m ov ed O UT ; b ec au se s om et im es T om my B ro ck

moved IN; (without asking leave).

T om my B roc k w as a s ho rt b ri st ly f at w add li ng p er so n w it h a g ri n; h e gr in ne d a ll o ve r h is f ac e. H e w as

n ot n ic e i n h is h ab it s. H e a te w as p n es ts a nd f ro gs a nd w or ms ; a nd h e w ad dl ed a bo ut b y m oo nl ig ht ,

digging things up.

Hi s c lot he s w er e ve ry di rt y; a nd a s he s le pt i n t he da yt im e, he a l-

w ays we nt t o b ed i n hi s bo ot s. A nd t he b ed w hi ch h e we nt t o be d i n w as g ene ra ll y M r. To d' s.

P a g e 4 9



Now Tommy Brock did occasionally eat rabbit pie; but it was only very little young ones occasionally,

w he n o the r f oo d w as r ea ll y s ca rc e. H e w as f ri en dl y w it h o ld M r. B ou nc er ; t he y a gr ee d i n d is li ki ng t he

w ic ke d o tt er s a nd M r. T od ; t he y o ft en t al ke d o ve r t ha t p ai nf ul s ub je ct .

O ld M r. B ou nc er w as s tr ic ke n i n y ea rs . H e s at i n t he s pr in g s un sh in e o ut si de t he b ur ro w, i n a m uf fl er ;

s mo ki ng a p ip e o f r ab bi t t ob ac co .

H e l iv ed w it h h is s on B en jami n B un ny and h is d au gh ter- in -l aw F lo ps y, w ho h ad a y ou ng f am il y. O ld M r.

B ou ncer w as i n charg e o f t he f am il y t hat aft er no on , b ecau se B en jami n and F lo ps y h ad g on e o ut .

T he l it tl e r ab bi t b ab ie s w er e j us t o ld e no ug h t o o pe n t he ir b lu e e ye s a nd k ic k. T he y l ay i n a f lu ff y be d o f

r ab bi t w oo l a nd h ay , i n a s ha ll ow b ur ro w, s ep ar at e f ro m t he m ai n r ab bi t h ol e. T o t el l t he t ru th -- ol d M r.

Bouncer had forgotten them.

H e s at i n t he s un , a nd c on ve rs ed c or di al ly w it h T om my B ro ck , w ho w as p as si ng t hr ou gh t he w oo d w it h a

s ac k a nd a l it tl e s pu d w hi ch h e u se d f or d ig gi ng , a nd s om e m ol e t ra ps . H e c om pl ai ne d b it te rl y a bo ut t he

scarcity of pheasants'

e gg s, a nd a cc us ed M r. To d o f po ac hi ng t he m. An d t he o tt er s h ad c le ar ed of f a ll t he f ro gs w hi le he wa s

a sle ep i n w int er -- " I ha ve not ha d a good s qua re me al f or a f ort - ni ght , I a m li vi ng on pi g- nuts . I s hal l

h av e t o t ur n ve ge ta ri an a nd e at m y o wn t ai l! " s ai d T om my B ro ck .

I t w as no t m uc h of a j oke , but i t t ic kl ed ol d M r. Bo unc er ; be ca us e To mm y B roc k wa s s o f at a nd s tu mp y

and grinning.

S o o ld M r. B ou nc er l au gh ed ; a nd p re ss ed To mm y B roc k t o c om e i ns ide , t o t as te a s li ce of s ee d c ake

a nd " a g la ss of m y d au ght er F lop sy 's c ow sl ip w in e. " T om my B ro ck s qu ee ze d h im se lf i nt o t he r ab bi t ho le

with alacrity.

T he n o ld M r. B ou nc er s mo ke d a no th er p ip e, a nd g av e T om my B ro ck a c ab ba ge l ea f c ig ar w hi ch w as s o

v er y s tr on g t ha t i t m ad e T om my B ro ck g ri n m or e t ha n e ve r; a nd t he s mo ke f il le d t he b ur ro w. O ld M r.

B ou ncer cou gh ed and l au gh ed ; and T om my B ro ck p uf fed and g ri nn ed .

A nd M r. B ou nc er l au gh ed a nd c ou gh ed , a nd s hu t h is e ye s b ec au se o f t he c ab ba ge s mo ke . .. .. .. .. .

W he n F lo ps y a nd B en ja mi n c am e b ac k o ld M r. B ou nc er w ok e u p. T om my B ro ck a nd a ll t he y ou ng

r abb i t b abi es h ad d is app ear ed!

M r. B ou nc er w ou ld n ot c on fe ss t ha t h e h ad a dm it te d a ny bo dy i nt o t he r ab bi t h ol e. B ut t he s me ll o f

badger was undeniable; and there were round heavy footmarks in the sand. He was in disgrace; Flopsy

w ru ng h er e ar s, a nd s la pp ed h im .

B en jami n B un ny s et o ff at o nce aft er T om my B ro ck .

T he re w as no t m uc h d if fi cul ty i n t ra ck ing hi m; he ha d l ef t h is f oot - ma rk a nd g on e s low ly u p t he w in d-

i ng f oot pa th t hr ou gh t he w ood . H er e he ha d r oot ed u p t he m os s a nd w oo d s or re l. T he re h e ha d d ug

qu it e a de ep h ol e f or do g da rn el ; a nd ha d s et a mol e t ra p. A l it tl e s tr ea m c ro ss ed t he wa y. Be nj am in

s ki pp ed l ig ht ly o ver d ry -f oo t; t he b ad ger' s h eavy s teps s ho wed p lain ly i n t he m ud .

T he pa th l ed t o a p ar t o f t he t hi ck et w he re t he t re es h ad be en c le ar ed; t he re w er e l ea fy o ak s tum ps , a nd

P a g e 5 0



a s ea o f b lu e h ya ci nt hs - -b ut t he s me ll t ha t m ad e B en ja mi n s to p w as N OT t he s me ll o f f lo we rs !

M r. To d' s s ti ck h ou se w as be fo re h im ; a nd, f or o nc e, Mr . T od w as a t ho me . Th er e w as n ot on ly a f ox y

f la vo r i n p ro of o f i t- -t he re w as s mo ke c om in g o ut o f t he b ro ke n p ai l t ha t s er ve d a s a c hi mn ey .

B en jami n B un ny s at u p, s tari ng , h is w hi sk er s t wi tched. I ns id e t he s ti ck h ou se s om eb od y d ro pp ed a p late,

and s ai d s om et hi ng . B en jami n s tamp ed h is f oo t, and b ol ted.

H e n ev er s to pp ed t il l h e c am e t o t he o th er s id e o f t he w oo d. A pp ar en tl y T om my B ro ck h ad t ur ne d t he

s am e wa y. Upo n t he t op of t he w al l t he re w er e a ga in t he m ar ks of

badger; and some ravellings of a sack had caught on a briar.

B en ja mi n c li mbe d o ve r t he w al l, i nt o a m ea do w. H e f ou nd a no th er m ol e t ra p n ew ly s et ; h e w as s ti ll up on

t he t ra ck o f T om my B ro ck . I t w as g et ti ng l at e i n t he a ft er no on . O th er r ab bi ts w er e c om in g o ut t o e nj oy

t he eveni ng air . O ne o f t hem i n a b lu e coat, b y h im self , w as b us il y h un ti ng f or d an deli on s. -- " C ou si n

P et er! P et er R ab bi t, P et er R ab bi t! " s ho ut ed B en jami n B un ny .

Th e bl ue c oa te d r ab bi t s at up w it h pr ic ke d e ar s- - " W ha te ve r i s t he ma tt er , C ous in B enj am in? I s i t a c at ?

o r J oh n S to at F er re t? "

" N o, n o, n o! H e' s b ag ge d m y f am il y- -T om my B ro ck -- in a s ac k - -h av e y ou s ee n h im ? "

" T om my B ro ck ? h ow m an y, C ou si n B en jami n? "

" Se ven, Cous in Pe te r, a nd a ll of t he m t wi ns ! D id he c ome t hi s wa y? Pl ea se t ell m e qui ck! "

" Y es , y es ; n ot t en m in ut es s in ce . .. . h e s ai d t he y w er e C AT ER PI LL AR S; I d id t hi nk t he y w er e k ic ki ngr at her h ar d, f or cat er pi ll ars . "

" W hi ch w ay ? w hi ch w ay h as h e g on e, C ou si n P et er ? "

" He ha d a s ack wi th s omet hing ' li ve i n it ; I wa tche d hi m s et a mole t ra p. Let me use my mi nd, Cousi n

Benjamin; tell me from the beginning, " Benjamin did so.

" M y U ncle B ou ncer h as d is pl ay ed a l am en tabl e w an t o f d is cr et io n f or h is y ears ; " s ai d P et er r ef lect iv el y,

" b ut t here are t wo h op ef ul cir cu ms tances . Y ou r f am il y i s ali ve and k icki ng ; and T om my B ro ck h as h ad

r ef re sh me nt s. H e w il l p ro ba bl y g o t o s le ep , a nd k ee p t he m f or b re ak fa st . " " W hi ch w ay ? " " C ou si nB en jami n, com po se y ou rs el f. I k no w v er y w el l w hi ch w ay . B ecau se M r.

Tod was at home in the sti ck house he has gone to Mr . Tod's other house , a t the top of Bull Banks. I

partly know, because he offered to leave any message at Sister Cottontail's; he said he would be passing.

" ( Co tt on ta il h ad m ar ri ed a b la ck r ab bi t, a nd g on e t o l iv e o n t he h il l. )

P et er h id h is d an deli on s, and accom pani ed t he aff li ct ed p ar en t, w ho w as all o f atw it ter. T hey cro ss ed

s ev er al f ie ld s a nd b eg an t o c li mb t he h il l; t he t ra ck s o f T om my B ro ck w er e p la in ly t o b e s ee n. H e s ee me d

t o ha ve p ut d ow n t he s ac k e ve ry d oz en ya rd s, t o r es t.

" He m us t be ve ry puf fe d; we a re c los e b ehi nd hi m, by t he s ce nt . Wh at a na st y p er so n! " s ai d Pe te r.

T he s un sh in e w as s ti ll w ar m and s lant in g o n t he h il l p as tu res. H al f w ay u p, C ot to nt ai l w as s it ti ng i n h er

P a g e 5 1



d oo rw ay , w it h f ou r o r f iv e h al f- g ro wn l it tl e r ab bi ts p la yi ng a bo ut h er ; o ne b la ck a nd t he o th er s b ro wn .

C ot to nt ai l h ad s ee n T om my B ro ck p as si ng i n t he d is ta nc e. A sk ed w he th er h er h us ba nd w as a t h om e s he

r ep li ed t hat T om my B ro ck h ad r es ted t wi ce w hi le s he w at ch ed h im .

H e h ad n od de d, a nd p oi nt ed t o t he s ac k, a nd s ee me d d ou bl ed u p w it h l au gh in g. -- " C om e a wa y,

P et er ; h e w il l b e coo ki ng t hem; com e q ui ck er ! " s ai d B en jami n B un ny .

They climbed up and up;-- " He was at home; I saw his black ears peeping out of the hole. " " They live

t oo n ea r t he r oc ks t o q ua rr el w it h t he ir n ei gh bo rs . C om e o n, C ou si n B en ja mi n! "

W he n t he y c am e n ea r t he w oo d a t t he t op o f B ul l B an ks , t he y w en t c au ti ou sl y. T he t re es g re w a mo ng st

he ape d up r ocks ; a nd the re, be ne ath a c ra g, Mr . Tod ha d made one of his home s. I t wa s a t the t op of a

s teep b an k; t he r ocks and b us hes o verh un g i t. T he r ab bi ts crept u p car ef ul ly , l is teni ng and p eepi ng .

T hi s h ou se w as s om et hi ng b et we en a c av e, a p ri so n, a nd a t um bl ed ow n p ig st y. T he re w as a s tr on g d oo r,w hi ch w as s hu t a nd l oc ke d.

T he s et ti ng s un m ade t he w in dow p an es g low l ik e r ed f la me ; b ut t he k it ch en f ir e w as no t a li ght . I t w as

n ea tl y l ai d w it h d ry s ti ck s, a s t he r ab bi ts c ou ld s ee , w he n t he y p ee pe d t hr ou gh t he w in do w.

Benjamin sighed with relief.

B ut t here w er e p reparati on s u po n t he k it ch en t ab le w hi ch m ad e h im s hu dd er . T here w as an i mm en se

e mp ty p ie di sh o f b lu e w il -

l ow p at te rn , a nd a l ar ge c ar vi ng k ni fe a nd f or k, a nd a c ho pp er .

At t he o the r e nd of t he t ab le wa s a pa rt ly u nf ol de d t abl ec lot h, a p la te , a t um bl er , a k ni fe a nd f or k, s al t

c el la r, m us ta rd a nd a c ha ir -- i n s ho rt , p re pa ra ti on s f or o ne p er so n' s s up pe r.

No person was to be seen, and no young rabbits. The kitchen was empty and silent; the clock had run

d ow n. P et er and B en jami n f latt en ed t heir n os es again st t he w in do w, and s tar ed i nt o t he d us k.

T he n t he y s cr am bl ed r ou nd t he r oc ks t o t he ot he r s ide of t he ho us e. I t wa s da mp a nd s me ll y, a nd ov er -

g ro wn w it h t ho rn s and b ri ar s.

T he r ab bi ts s hi vered i n t heir s ho es .

" O h m y p oo r r ab bi t b ab ie s! W ha t a d re ad fu l p la ce ; I s ha ll n ev er s ee t he m a ga in ! " s ig he d B en ja mi n.

T he y c re pt u p t o t he b ed ro om w in do w. I t w as c lo se d a nd b ol te d l ik e t he k it ch en . B ut t he re w er e s ig ns

t ha t t hi s w in do w h ad b ee n r ec en tl y o pe n; t he c ob we bs w er e d is tu rb ed , a nd t he re w er e f re sh d ir ty

footmarks upon the windowsill.

Th e r oo m i ns ide wa s s o da rk t ha t a t f ir st t he y c oul d ma ke ou t no thi ng; but t he y c oul d he ar a noi se -- a

s lo w d ee p r eg ul ar s no ri ng g ru nt . A nd a s t he ir e ye s b ec am e a cc us to me d t o t he d ar kn es s, t he y p er ce iv ed

t ha t s om eb od y w as a sl ee p o n M r. T od' s be d, c ur le d u p u nd er t he b la nke t. -- " H e ha s g on e t o b ed i n h is

boots, " whispered Peter.

P a g e 5 2



B en jami n, w ho w as all o f atw it ter, p ul led P et er o ff t he w in do ws il l.

T om my B ro ck 's s no re s c on ti nu ed , g ru nt y a nd r eg ul ar f ro m M r. T od 's b ed . N ot hi ng c ou ld b e s ee n o f t he

young family.

T he s un h ad s et ; a n o wl b eg an t o h oo t i n t he w oo d. T he re w er e m an y u np le as an t t hi ng s l yi ng a bo ut t ha t

h ad m uc h b et te r h av e b ee n b ur ie d; r ab bi t b on es a nd s ku ll s, a nd c hi ck en s' l eg s a nd o th er h or ro rs . I t w as as ho ck in g p lace, and v er y d ar k.

The y we nt ba ck t o t he f ront o f t he hous e, a nd t ri ed i n e ve ry w ay t o mo ve t he bol t o f t he k it che n w indow.

T he y t ri ed t o p us h u p a r us ty n ai l b et we en t he w in do w s as he s; b ut i t w as o f n o u se , e sp ec ia ll y w it ho ut a

light.

T hey s at s id e b y s id e o ut si de t he w in do w, w hi sp er in g and l is teni ng .

I n ha lf a n hou r t he moo n r os e ove r t he wood . I t s hon e f ul l a nd c le ar a nd c ol d, upon t he hous e, a mongs t

t he r oc ks , a nd i n a t t he k it ch en wi ndo w. B ut a la s, n o l it tl e r abb it b abi es we re t o be s ee n! Th em oo nb ea ms t wi nk le d o n t he c ar vi ng k ni fe a nd t he p ie d is h, a nd m ad e a p at h o f b ri gh tn es s a cr os s t he d ir ty

floor.

T he l ig ht s ho we d a l it tl e d oo r i n a w al l b es ide t he k it ch en f ir ep la ce - -a l it tl e i ro n d oo r be lo ng in g t o a b ri ck

o ve n o f t ha t o ld -f as hi on ed s or t t ha t u se d t o b e h ea te d w it h f ag go ts o f w oo d.

A nd p resent ly at t he s am e m om en t P et er and B en jami n n ot iced t hat w henever t hey s ho ok t he w in do w

t he l it tl e do or op po si te s hoo k i n a ns we r. T he y oun g f am il y w er e a li ve ; s hu t up i n t he ov en !

B en ja mi n w as s o e xc it ed t ha t i t w as a m er cy h e d id n ot a wa ke T om my B ro ck , w ho se s no re s c on ti nu ed

s ol em nl y i n M r. T od 's b ed .

B ut t he re r ea ll y w as n ot v er y m uc h c om fo rt i n t he d is co ve ry . T he y c ou ld n ot o pe n t he w in do w; a nd

alt ho ug h t he y ou ng f am il y w as ali ve t he l it tl e r ab bi ts w er e q ui te i n-

cap ab le o f l et ti ng t hems el ves o ut ; t hey w er e n ot o ld eno ug h t o crawl .

A ft er m uc h w hi sp er in g, P et er a nd B en ja mi n d ec id ed t o d ig a t un ne l. T he y b eg an t o b ur ro w a y ar d o r t wo

l owe r d own t he ba nk. The y hop ed t ha t t he y m ig ht be a bl e t o w or k b et we en t he l ar ge s ton es un de r t he

h ou se ; t he k it ch en f lo or w as s o d ir ty t ha t i t w as i mp os si bl e t o s ay w he th er i t w as m ad e o f e ar th o r f la gs .

T he y d ug a nd d ug f or h ou rs . T he y c ou ld n ot t un ne l s tr ai gh t o n a cc ou nt o f s to ne s; b ut b y t he e nd o f t he

n ig ht t hey w er e u nd er t he k it ch en f lo or . B en jami n w as o n h is b ack s cr at ch in g u pw ar ds . P et er 's claws

w er e w or n d ow n; h e w as o ut si de t he t un ne l, s hu ff li ng s an d a wa y. H e c al le d o ut t ha t i t w as

m or ni ng -- su nr is e; a nd t ha t t he j ay s w er e m ak in g a n oi se d ow n b el ow i n t he w oo ds .

B en ja mi n B un ny c am e ou t o f t he da rk t un ne l s ha ki ng t he s an d f ro m h is e ar s; h e c le ane d h is f ac e w it h h is

paws. Every minute the sun shone warmer on the top of the hill. In the valley there was a sea of white

m is t, w it h g ol den t op s o f t rees s ho wi ng t hr ou gh .

A ga in f rom t he f ie ld s d ow n b el ow i n t he m is t t he re c am e t he a ng ry c ry o f a j ay , f ol lo we d b y t he s ha rp

y el pi ng b ar k o f a f ox !

T hen t ho se t wo r ab bi ts l os t t heir h eads com pl et el y. T hey d id t he m os t f oo li sh t hi ng t hat t hey cou ld h av e

P a g e 5 3



d on e. T he y r us he d i nt o t he ir s ho rt n ew t un ne l, a nd h id t he ms el ve s a t t he t op e nd o f i t, u nd er M r. T od 's

kitchen floor.

M r. To d wa s c omi ng up Bu ll Ba nks , a nd he w as i n t he ve ry w or st o f t emp er s. F ir st he h ad be en u ps et b y

breaking the plate. It was his own fault; but it was a china plate,

t he l as t o f t he d in ne r s er vi ce t ha t h ad b el on ge d t o h is g ra nd mo th er , o ld V ix en T od . T he n t he m id ge s h ad been very bad. And he had failed to catch a hen pheasant on her nest; and it had contained only five

e gg s, t wo o f t he m a dd le d. M r. T od h ad h ad a n u ns at is fa ct or y n ig ht .

A s u su al , w he n o ut o f h um or , h e d et er mi ne d t o m ov e h ou se . F ir st h e t ri ed t he p ol la rd w il lo w, b ut i t w as

da mp; a nd t he o tt er s ha d l ef t a de ad f is h ne ar i t. M r. T od l ike s no bod y' s l ea vi ngs but hi s o wn.

H e m ad e h is w ay u p t he h il l; h is t em pe r w as n ot i mp ro ve d b y no ti ci ng u nm is ta ka bl e m ar ks o f b ad ge r. N o

o ne e ls e g ru bs u p t he m os s s o w an to nl y a s T om my B ro ck .

M r. T od s la ppe d h is s ti ck up on t he e ar th a nd f um ed ; he g ue ss ed w he re To mm y B roc k ha d g on e t o. Hew as f ur the r a nn oy ed b y t he j ay b ir d w hi ch f ol lo we d h im p er si st en tl y. I t f le w f ro m t re e t o t re e a nd

s co ld ed , w ar ni ng e ve ry r ab bi t w it hi n he ar in g t ha t e it he r a c at o r a f ox w as c om in g u p t he p la nt at io n. O nc e

w he n i t f le w s cr ea mi ng ov er hi s he ad M r. T od s na ppe d a t i t, a nd ba rke d.

H e app ro ached h is h ou se v er y car ef ul ly , w it h a l ar ge r us ty k ey . H e s ni ff ed and h is w hi sk er s b ri st led.

Th e ho us e w as l oc ke d u p, b ut M r. T od ha d hi s d oub ts wh et he r i t wa s e mpt y. He t ur ne d t he r us ty k ey i n

t he l oc k; t he r ab bi ts b el ow c ou ld h ea r i t. M r. T od o pe ne d t he d oo r c au ti ou sl y a nd w en t i n.

T he s igh t t ha t m et M r. To d' s e ye s i n M r. T od 's k it che n m ade Mr . T od f ur iou s. Th er e w as Mr . T od 's

c ha ir , a nd M r. T od 's p ie d is h, a nd h is k ni fe a nd f or k a nd m us ta rd a nd s al t c el la r, a nd h is t ab le cl ot h, t ha th e ha d l ef t f ol de d u p i n t he dr es se r - -a ll s et o ut f or s up pe r ( or b re ak fa st ) - -w it ho ut d ou bt f or t ha t o di ou s

Tommy Brock.

T here w as a s mell o f f resh ear th and d ir ty b ad ger, w hi ch f or tu nately o verp ow er ed all s mell o f r ab bi t.

B ut w hat abs or bed M r. T od 's att en ti on w as a n oi se, a d eep s lo w r eg ul ar s no ri ng g ru nt in g n oi se, com in g

f ro m h is o wn b ed .

H e p ee pe d t hr ou gh t he h in ge s o f t he h al f- op en b ed ro om d oo r. T he n h e t ur ne d a nd c am e o ut o f t he h ou se

i n a h ur ry . H is w hi sk er s b ri st le d a nd h is c oa t c ol la r s to od o n e nd w it h r ag e.

F or t he n ex t t went y m in ut es M r. T od k ep t creep in g cau ti ou sl y i nt o t he h ou se, and r et reat in g h ur ri ed ly o ut

a ga in . B y d eg re es h e v en tu re d f ur th er i n- -r ig ht i nt o t he b ed - r oo m. W he n h e w as o ut si de t he h ou se , h e

s cr at ch ed u p t he e ar th w it h f ur y. B ut w he n h e w as i ns id e - -h e d id n ot l ik e t he l oo k o f T om my B ro ck 's

teeth.

H e w as l yi ng o n h is ba ck w it h h is m ou th o pe n, g ri nn in g f ro m e ar t o e ar . H e s no re d p ea ce fu ll y a nd

r eg ul ar ly ; b ut o ne eye w as n ot p er fect ly s hu t.

M r. T od c am e i n a nd o ut o f t he b ed ro om . T wi ce h e b ro ug ht i n h is w al ki ng s ti ck , a nd o nc e h e b ro ug ht

i n t he c oa l s cu tt le . B ut h e t ho ug ht b et te r o f i t, a nd t oo k t he m a wa y.

P a g e 5 4



W he n h e c am e b ac k a ft er r em ov ing t he c oa l s cu tt le , T om my B ro ck w as l yi ng a l it tl e m or e s ide wa ys ; b ut

h e s ee me d e ve n s ou nd er a sl ee p. H e w as a n i nc ur ab ly i nd ol en t p er so n; h e w as n ot i n t he l ea st a fr ai d o f

M r. T od ; h e w as s im pl y t oo l az y a nd c om fo rt ab le t o m ov e.

M r. T od c am e b ac k y et a ga in i nt o t he b ed ro om w it h a c lo th es l in e. H e s to od a m in ut e w at ch in g T om my

B ro ck and l is teni ng att en ti vely t o t he s no res. T hey w er e v er y l ou d i nd eed, b ut s eemed q ui te n at ur al .

M r. T od t ur ne d h is b ac k t owa rd s t he be d, a nd u nd id t he w in dow . I t c re ak ed; he t ur ne d r oun d w it h a

jump. Tommy Brock, who had opened one eye--shut it hastily. The snores continued.

M r. T od 's p ro ce ed in gs w er e p ec ul ia r, a nd r at he r d if fi cu lt ( be ca us e t he b ed w as b et we en t he w in do w a nd

t he d oo r o f t he be dr oo m) . He op en ed t he w ind ow a l it tl e w ay, a nd p us he d o ut t he gr ea te r p ar t of t he

c lot he s l ine on t o t he wi ndow - si ll . The r es t of t he li ne , wi th a hook a t the e nd, r ema ined i n hi s ha nd.

T om my B ro ck s no re d c on sc ie nt io us ly . M r. T od s to od a nd l oo ke d a t h im f or a m in ut e; t he n h e l ef t t he

room again.

T om my B ro ck op ene d b ot h e ye s, a nd l ook ed a t t he r ope a nd g ri nn ed . T he re wa s a no is e ou ts id e t he

w in do w. T om my B ro ck s hut h is e ye s i n a h ur ry.

Mr. Tod had gone out a t the fr ont door , a nd r ound t o t he ba ck of t he house . On the wa y, he st umble d

o ve r t he r ab bi t b ur ro w. I f h e h ad h ad a ny i de a w ho w as i ns id e i t h e w ou ld h av e p ul le d t he m o ut q ui ck ly .

H is f oo t w en t t hr ou gh t he t un nel n earl y u po n t he t op o f P et er R ab bi t and B en jami n; b ut , f or tu nately , h e

t ho ug ht t ha t i t w as s om e m or e o f T om my B ro ck 's w or k.

He t ook u p t he c oi l of l ine f rom th e s il l, li st en ed f or a mom ent , a nd t he n t ie d t he r ope t o a t re e.

T om my B ro ck w at ch ed h im w it h o ne eye, t hr ou gh t he w in do w. H e w as p uzzl ed .

M r. T od f et ch ed a l ar ge h ea vy p ai lf ul o f w at er f ro m t he s pr in g, a nd s ta gg er ed w it h i t t hr oug h t he k it ch en

into his bedroom.

Tommy Brock snored industriously, with rather a snort.

M r. T od p ut d ow n t he p ai l b es id e t he b ed , t oo k u p t he e nd o f r op e w it h t he ho ok -- he si ta te d, a nd l oo ke d

a t T om my B ro ck . T he s no re s w er e a lm os t a po pl ec ti c; b ut t he g ri n w as n ot q ui te s o b ig .

M r. T od g in ge rl y m ou nt ed a c ha ir b y t he h ea d o f t he b ed st ea d. H is l eg s w er e d an ge ro us ly n ea r t o

Tommy Brock's teeth.

He re ache d up a nd put t he e nd of r ope , wi th the hook, over the hea d of t he t est er be d, whe re t he

curtains ought to hang.

( Mr . T od 's c ur ta in s w er e f ol de d u p, a nd p ut a wa y, o wi ng t o t he h ou se b ei ng u no cc up ie d. S o w as t he

counterpane. Tommy Brock

w as c ov er ed w it h a b la nk et o nl y. ) M r. T od s ta nd in g o n t he u ns te ad y c ha ir l oo ke d d ow n u po n h im

att en ti vely ; h e r eall y w as a f ir st p ri ze s ou nd s leep er !

P a g e 5 5



I t s ee me d a s t ho ug h n ot hi ng w ou ld w ak en h im -- no t e ve n t he f la pp in g r op e a cr os s t he b ed .

M r. To d de sc end ed s af el y f ro m t he c ha ir , a nd e nde av or ed t o ge t up a ga in w it h t he p ai l of wa te r. H e

i nt ende d t o ha ng i t f rom t he hook, da ngl in g ove r t he he ad of T omm y Br oc k, i n or de r to ma ke a s or t of

s ho wer- bath , w or ked b y a s t ri ng , t hr ou gh t he w in do w.

But, naturally, being a thin- legged person (though vindictive and sandy whiskered)--he was quite unablet o l if t t he h ea vy w ei gh t t o t he l ev el o f t he h ook a nd r op e. H e v er y n ea rl y o ve rb al an ce d h im se lf .

T he s no re s b ec am e m or e a nd m or e a po pl ec ti c. O ne o f T om my B ro ck 's h in d l eg s t wi tc he d u nd er t he

blanket, but still he slept on peacefully.

M r. T od and t he p ai l d es cend ed f ro m t he chair w it ho ut accid en t. A ft er con si derabl e t ho ug ht , h e emp ti ed

t he w at er i nt o a w as h b as in a nd j ug . Th e e mp ty p ai l w as n ot t oo he av y f or h im ; h e s lu ng i t u p w ob bl in g

o ve r t he h ea d o f T om my B ro ck .

S ur el y t he re n ev er w as s uc h a s le epe r! M r. To d g ot up a nd d own , do wn a nd up on t he c ha ir .

As he c oul d not li ft the whol e pai lful of wa te r a t onc e he f etc he d a mi lk j ug a nd la dl ed qua rts of wa ter i nt o

t he p ai l b y d eg rees . T he p ai l g ot f ul ler and f ul ler, and s wu ng l ik e a p en du lu m. O ccas io nall y a d ro p

s pl as hed o ver; b ut s ti ll T om my B ro ck s no red r eg ul ar ly and n ev er m ov ed ,- -excep t i n o ne eye.

A t l as t M r. T od 's p re pa ra ti on s w er e c om pl et e. T he p ai l w as f ul l o f w at er ; t he r op e w as t ig ht ly s tr ai ne d

o ve r t he t op o f t he b ed , a nd a cr os s t he w in dow si ll t o t he t re e ou ts ide .

" It wi ll m ake a gr eat me ss i n my be dr oom; but I c oul d neve r s le ep i n tha t be d aga in wi thout a s pr ing

c le ani ng o f s ome s or t, " s ai d M r. To d.

M r. To d t oo k a l as t l ook a t t he ba dge r a nd s of tl y l ef t t he r oo m. H e we nt out of t he h ous e, s hut ti ng t he

f ro nt d oo r. T he r ab bi ts h ea rd h is f oo ts te ps o ve r t he t un ne l.

H e r an r ou nd b eh in d t he h ou se , i nt en di ng t o un do t he r op e i n o rd er t o l et f al l t he p ai lf ul o f w at er up on

Tommy Brock--

" I w il l w ak e h im u p w it h a n u np le as an t s ur pr is e, " s ai d M r. T od .

T he m om en t h e h ad g on e, T om my B ro ck g ot u p i n a h ur ry ; h e r ol le d M r. T od 's d re ss in g- go wn i nt o a

bundle, put it into the bed beneath the pail of water instead of himself, and left the room also-- grinningimmensely.

H e w en t i nt o t he k it che n, l igh te d t he f ir e a nd bo il ed t he k et tl e; f or t he m om en t h e d id n ot t ro ubl e h im se lf

t o c oo k t he b ab y r ab bi ts .

W he n Mr . Tod got t o t he t re e, h e f ound t ha t t he w ei ght a nd s tr ai n h ad dr agg ed t he knot s o t igh t t ha t i t

w as p as t u nt yi ng . H e w as o bl ig ed t o g na w i t w it h h is t ee th . H e c he we d a nd g na we d f or m or e t ha n t we nt y

m in ut es . A t l as t t he r op e g av e w ay w it h s uc h a s ud de n j er k t ha t i t n ea rl y p ul le d h is t ee th o ut , a nd q ui te

k no ck ed h im o ver b ack war ds .

I ns ide t he ho us e t he re w as a gr ea t c ra sh a nd s pl as h, a nd t he n oi se of a pa il r ol li ng ov er a nd ove r.

B ut n o s cr ea ms . M r. T od w as m ys ti fi ed ; h e s at q ui te s ti ll , a nd l is te ne d a tt en ti ve ly . T he n h e p ee pe d i n a t

P a g e 5 6



t he w in do w. T he w at er w as d ri pp in g f ro m t he b ed , t he p ai l h ad r ol le d i nt o a c or ne r.

I n t he m id dl e o f t he b ed , u nd er t he b la nk et , w as a w et S OM ET HI NG - -m uc h f la tt en ed i n t he m id dl e,

w he re t he p ai l ha d c au gh t i t ( as i t w er e a cr os s t he t um my) . I ts h ea d w as c ove re d b y t he we t b la nke t, a nd

i t w as N OT S NO RI NG A NY L ON GE R.

T he re w as n ot hi ng s ti rr in g, a nd n o s ou nd e xc ep t t he d ri p, d ro p, d ro p, d ri p, o f w at er t ri ck li ng f ro m t hemattress.

M r. T od w at ch ed i t f or h al f a n h ou r; h is e ye s g li st en ed .

T he n h e c ut a c ap er , a nd be ca me s o bo ld t ha t h e e ve n t app ed a t t he wi nd ow ; b ut t he bu nd le ne ve r

moved.

Y es -- th er e wa s no do ub t a bo ut i t- -i t ha d t ur ne d o ut e ve n be tt er t ha n h e ha d pl an ne d; t he pa il h ad h it

poor old Tommy Brock, and killed him dead!

" I wil l bury that na sty pe rs on in t he hole whic h he ha s dug. I will bri ng my beddi ng out, and dry it in the

s un, " sa id Mr. Tod.

" I wi ll wa sh t he t able cl ot h a nd s pr ea d i t on t he gr as s i n t he s un t o bl ea ch. And the bl anke t mus t be hung

u p i n t he w in d; a nd t he b ed m us t b e t ho ro ug hl y d is in fe ct ed , a nd a ir ed w it h a w ar mi ng -pa n; a nd w ar me d

wi th a ho t w at er bot tl e. "

" I wi ll ge t s of t s oa p, a nd m on ke y s oa p, a nd a ll s or ts of s oa p; a nd s oda a nd s cr ubb ing br us he s; a nd

persian powder; and carbolic to remove the smell. I must have a disinfecting. Perhaps I may have to burn

sulphur. "

H e h ur ri ed r ou nd t he h ou se t o g et a s ho ve l f ro m t he k it che n- - " F ir st I w il l a rr an ge t he h ol e- -t he n I w il l

drag out that pe rson i n t he bla nket . . . . "

He opened the door. . . .

T om my B ro ck w as s it ti ng a t M r. T od 's k it ch en t ab le , p ou ri ng o ut t ea f ro m M r. T od 's t ea po t i nt o M r.

T od 's t ea cu p. H e w as q ui te d ry h im se lf a nd g ri nn in g; a nd h e t hr ew t he c up o f s ca ld in g t ea a ll o ve r M r.

Tod.

T he n M r. T od r us he d u po n T om my B ro ck , a nd T om my B ro ck g ra pp le d w it h M r. T od a mo ng st

t he b ro ke n c ro ck er y, a nd t he re w as a t er ri fi c b at tl e a ll o ve r t he k it ch en . T o t he r ab bi ts u nd er ne at h i t

s ou nd ed as i f t he f lo or w ou ld g iv e w ay at each crash o f f al li ng f ur ni tu re.

T hey crept o ut o f t heir t un nel, and h un g abo ut amo ng st t he r ocks and b us hes, l is teni ng anx io us ly .

I ns id e t he h ou se t he r ac ke t w as f ea rf ul . T he r ab bi t b ab ie s i n t he o ve n w ok e u p t re mb li ng ; p er ha ps i t w as

f or tu nate t hey w er e s hu t u p i ns id e.

E very th in g w as u ps et excep t t he k it ch en t ab le.

A nd every th in g w as b ro ken, excep t t he m an telp iece and t he k it ch en f en der. T he cro ck er y w as s mash ed

t o a to ms .

P a g e 5 7



T he c ha ir s w er e b ro ke n, a nd t he w in do w, a nd t he c lo ck f el l w it h a c ra sh , a nd t he re w er e h an df ul s o f M r.

Tod's sandy whiskers.

T he v as es f el l o ff t he m an telp iece, t he can ni st er s f el l o ff t he s helf ; t he k et tl e f el l o ff t he h ob . T om my B ro ck

put his foot in a jar of raspberry jam.

And t he boil ing wa te r out of t he ke tt le f el l upon t he ta il of Mr . Tod.

W he n t he k et tl e f el l, T om my B ro ck , w ho w as s ti ll g ri nn in g, h ap pe ne d t o b e u pp er mo st ; a nd h e r ol le d M r.

Tod ove r a nd ove r l ike a l og, out at the door .

T hen t he s narl in g and w or ry in g w en t o n o ut si de; and t hey r ol led o ver t he b an k, and d ow n h il l, b um pi ng

ov er t he r oc ks . Th er e w il l ne ve r be a ny l ov e l os t b et we en T om my B ro ck a nd M r. Tod .

A s s oo n a s t he c oa st w as c le ar , Pe te r R abb it a nd Be nj ami n Bu nny c am e ou t of t he bus he s.

" Now for i t! Run i n, Cous in Be nj ami n! Run i n and ge t t he m! whi le I wa tc h t he door . "

But Benjamin was frightened--

" Oh ; oh! th ey a re c omi ng ba ck! "

" No they are not. "

" Yes they are! "

" W ha t d re ad fu l b ad l an gua ge ! I t hi nk t he y h av e f al le n d ow n t he s to ne qu ar ry . "

Still Benjamin hesitated, and Peter kept pushing him--

" B e q ui ck , i t' s a ll r ig ht . S hu t t he o ve n d oo r, C ou si n B en ja mi n, s o t ha t h e w on 't m is s t he m. "

D ecid ed ly t here w er e l iv el y d oi ng s i n M r. T od 's k it ch en !

A t h om e i n t he r ab bi t h ol e, t hi ng s h ad n ot b ee n q ui te c om fo rt ab le .

A ft er q ua rr el in g a t s up pe r, F lo ps y a nd o ld M r. B ou nc er h ad p as se d a s le ep le ss n ig ht , a nd q ua rr el le da ga in a t b re ak fa st . O ld M r. B ou nc er c ou ld n o l on ge r d en y t ha t h e h ad i nv it ed c om pa ny i nt o t he r ab bi t

h ol e; b ut h e r ef us ed t o r ep ly t o t he q ue st io ns a nd r ep ro ac he s o f F lo ps y. T he d ay p as se d h ea vi ly .

O ld M r. B ou nc er , v er y s ul ky , w as h ud dl ed u p i n a c or ne r, b ar ri ca de d w it h a c ha ir . F lo ps y h ad t ak en

a wa y h is p ip e a nd h id de n t he t ob ac co . S he h ad b ee n h av in g a c om pl et e t ur n o ut a nd s pr in g c le an in g, t o

r el ieve h er f eeli ng s. S he h ad j us t f in is hed. O ld M r. B ou ncer , b eh in d h is chair , w as w on deri ng anx io us ly

w ha t s he w ou ld d o n ex t.

I n M r. T od 's k it ch en , ami ds t t he w reck ag e, B en jami n B un ny p icked h is w ay t o t he o ven n er vo us ly ,

t hr ou gh a t hi ck c lo ud o f d us t. H e o pe ne d t he o ve n d oo r, f el t i ns id e, a nd f ou nd s om et hi ng w ar m a nd

wriggling. He lifted it out carefully, and rejoined Peter Rabbit.

P a g e 5 8



" I 've got t he m! C an we ge t a wa y? Sha ll we hi de , Co us in Pe te r? "

P et er p ri ck ed h is ear s; d is tant s ou nd s o f f ig ht in g s ti ll ech oed i n t he w oo d.

Five minutes afterwards two breathless rabbits came scuttering away down Bull Banks, half carrying, half

d ra gg in g a s ac k b et we en t he m, b um pe tt y b um p o ve r t he g ra ss . T he y r ea ch ed h om e s af el y, a nd b ur st i nt o

t he r abb it h ol e.

G reat w as o ld M r. B ou ncer 's r el ief and F lo ps y' s j oy w hen P et er and B en jami n arr iv ed i n t ri um ph w it h

t he y ou ng f am il y. T he r ab bi t b ab ie s w er e r at he r t um bl ed a nd v er y h un gr y; t he y w er e f ed a nd p ut t o b ed .

T hey s o on r eco ver ed .

A ne w l on g p ip e a nd a f re sh s upp ly o f r ab bi t t ob ac co w as p re se nt ed t o M r. Bo unc er . H e w as r at he r

u po n h is d ig ni ty ; b ut h e accep ted.

O ld M r. B ou ncer w as f or gi ven, and t hey all h ad d in ner. T hen P et er and B en jami n t ol d t heir s to ry -- bu tt he y ha d n ot w ai te d l on g e noug h t o be a bl e t o t el l t he e nd of t he ba tt le be twe en To mm y B roc k a nd M r.

Tod.

THE TALE OF PIGLING

B L A N D[ Fo r C ic il y a nd C ha rl ie , a T al e o f t he C hr is tm as P ig ]

O nc e up on a t im e t he re w as a n o ld p ig c al le d A unt Pe tt it oe s. S he ha d e igh t o f a f am il y: f ou r l it tl e g ir l p igs ,

call ed C ro ss -p at ch, S uck- s uck, Y ock- yo ck and S po t; and f ou r l it t le b oy p ig s, cal l ed A lexand er , P ig li ng

B land , C hi n- Ch in and S tu mp y. S tu mp y h ad h ad an accid en t t o h is t ai l.

T he e ig ht l it tl e p ig s h ad v er y f in e a pp et it es -- " Y us , y us , y us ! t he y e at a nd i nd ee d t he y D O e at ! " s ai d

A un t P et ti to es , l oo ki ng at h er f am il y w it h p ri de. S ud denl y t here w er e f earf ul s qu eals ; A lexand er h ad

s qu ee ze d i ns id e t he h oo ps o f t he p ig t ro ug h a nd s tu ck .

A un t P et ti to es a nd I d ra gg ed h im o ut b y t he h in d l eg s.

C hi n- ch in w as a lr ea dy i n d is gr ac e; i t w as w as hi ng d ay , a nd h e h ad e at en a p ie ce o f s oa p. A nd p re se nt ly

i n a b as ke t o f c le an c lo the s, w e f oun d a no th er d ir ty l it tl e p ig -- " T ch ut , t ut , t ut ! w hi ch eve r i s t hi s? "

g run te d A un t P et ti to es . N ow a ll t he pi g f am il y a re p ink , o r pi nk w it h b la ck s po ts , b ut t hi s p ig c hi ld w as

s mu tt y bl ac k a ll o ve r; w he n i t h ad b ee n p opp ed i nt o a t ub , i t p ro ve d t o b e Y oc k- yo ck .

I w en t i nt o t he g ar de n; t he re I f ou nd C ro ss -p at ch a nd S uc k- su ck r oo ti ng u p c ar ro ts . I w hi pp ed t he m

m ys el f a nd l ed t he m ou t by t he e ar s. C ros s- pa tc h t ri ed t o b it e m e.

" A un t P et ti to es , A un t P et ti to es ! y ou a re a w or th y p er so n, bu t y ou r f am il y i s n ot w el l b ro ug ht u p. E ve ryo ne of t he m h as b ee n i n mi sc hi ef e xc ep t Sp ot a nd P ig li ng B la nd . "

P a g e 5 9



" Y us , y us ! " s igh ed A unt P et ti to es . " A nd t he y d ri nk b uc ke tf ul s o f m il k; I s ha ll h av e t o g et a no th er c ow !

Go od l it tl e S pot s ha ll s ta y a t hom e t o do t he hous ewor k; bu t t he ot he rs m us t go. F our l it tl e b oy pi gs a nd

f ou r l it tl e g ir l p igs a re t oo m any a lt oge th er . " " Y us , y us , yu s, " s ai d A un t P et ti to es , " t he re w il l b e m or e t o

eat w it ho ut t hem. "

S o C hi n- chi n and S uck- s uck w en t

a wa y i n a w he el -b ar ro w, a nd S tu mp y, Y oc k- yo ck a nd C ro ss - p at ch r od e a wa y i n a c ar t.

A nd t he o th er t wo l it tl e b oy p ig s, P ig li ng B la nd a nd A le xa nd er w en t t o m ar ke t. W e b ru sh ed t he ir c oa ts ,

w e c ur le d t he ir t ai ls a nd w as he d t he ir l it tl e f ac es , a nd w is he d t he m g oo d b ye i n t he y ar d.

A un t P et ti to es w ip ed h er eyes w it h a l ar ge p ocket h an dk er ch ief, t hen s he w ip ed P ig li ng B land 's n os e and

s he d t ea rs ; t he n s he w ip ed A le xa nd er 's n os e a nd s he d t ea rs ; t he n s he p as se d t he h an dk er ch ie f t o S po t.

A un t P et ti t oes s ig hed and g ru nt ed , and add ress ed t ho se l it tl e p ig s as f ol lo ws --

" N ow P ig li ng B la nd , s on P ig li ng B la nd, yo u m us t g o t o m ar ke t. T ak e yo ur b ro th er A le xa nde r b y t heh an d. M in d y ou r S un da y c lo th es , a nd r em em be r t o b lo w y ou r n os e " - -( Au nt P et ti to es p as se d r ou nd t he

h an dk er ch ie f a ga in )- - " b ew ar e o f t ra ps , h en r oo st s, b ac on a nd e gg s; a lw ay s w al k u po n y ou r h in d l eg s. "

P ig li ng B land w ho w as a s ed at e l it tl e p ig , l oo ked s ol em nl y at h is

m ot he r, a t ea r t ri ck le d d ow n h is c he ek .

A un t P et ti to es t ur ne d t o t he o the r- - " N ow s on A le xa nd er t ake t he ha nd " - - " W ee , we e, w ee ! " gi gg le d

A le xa nd er -- " t ak e t he h an d o f y ou r b ro th er P ig li ng B la nd , y ou m us t g o t o m ar ke t. M in d- - " " W ee , w ee ,

w ee ! " i nt er ru pt ed A le xa nd er a ga in . " Y ou p ut m e o ut , " s ai d A un t P et ti to es -- " O bs er ve s ig np os ts a nd

m il es to ne s; d o n ot g ob bl e h er ri ng b on es -- " " A nd r em em be r, " s ai d I i mp re ss iv el y, " i f yo u o nc e c ro ss

t he c ou nt y b ou nd ar y y ou c an no t c om e b ac k. A le xa nd er , y ou a re n ot a tt en di ng . H er e a re t wo l ic en se s permitting two pigs to go to market in Lancashire. Attend Alexander. I have had no end of trouble in

getting these papers from the policeman. " Pigling Bland listened gravely; Alexander was hopelessly

volatile.

I p in ne d t he p ap er s, f or s af et y, i ns id e t he ir w ai st co at p oc ke ts ; A un t P et ti to es g av e t o e ac h a l it tl e b un dl e,

and eight conversation peppermints with appropriate

m or al s en ti ment s i n s cr ew s o f p ap er . T hen t hey s tar ted.

P ig li ng B land and A lexand er t ro tt ed alo ng s tead il y f or a m il e; at l east P ig li ng B land d id . A lexand er m ad et he r oa d h al f a s l on g a ga in b y s ki pp in g f ro m s id e t o s id e. H e d an ce d a bo ut a nd p in ch ed h is b ro th er ,

singing--

" Thi s pi g w ent t o ma rke t, thi s pig s ta ye d a t home , " Thi s pi g ha d a bi t of m eat --

l et 's s ee wh at t he y ha ve gi ve n U S f or d in ne r, P ig li ng ? "

P ig li ng B land and A lexand er s at d ow n and u nt ied t heir b un dl es . A lexand er g ob bl ed u p h is d in ner i n n o

t im e; h e ha d a lr ea dy e at en a ll h is o wn p ep pe rm int s- - " G iv e m e o ne of y ou rs , p le as e, P ig li ng ? " " B ut I

w is h t o p reserv e t hem f or emerg en ci es , " s ai d P ig li ng B land d ou bt fu ll y. A lexand er w en t i nt o s qu eals o f

l au gh ter. T hen h e p ri ck ed P ig li ng w it h t he p in t hat h ad f as tened h is p ig p ap er ; and w hen P ig li ng s lapp ed

h im h e d ro pp ed t he pi n, a nd t ri ed t o t ak e P ig li ng 's p in , a nd t he p ap er s g ot m ix ed u p. P ig li ng B la nd

reproved Alexander.

P a g e 6 0



B ut p resent ly t hey m ad e i t u p again , and t ro tt ed away t og et her, s in gi ng --

" T om, To m t he pi pe r' s s on, s tol e a pi g a nd a wa y he r an! " But a ll t he t une t ha t h e c oul d p la y, wa s ` Ove r

t he hi ll s a nd f ar a wa y! ' "

" W ha t' s t ha t, y ou ng S ir s? S to le a p ig ? W he re a re y ou r l ic en se s? " s ai d t he p ol ic em an . T he y h ad n ea rl yrun against him round a corner. Pigling Bland pulled out his paper; Alexander, after fumbling, handed

over something scrumply--

" T o 2 1 /2 o z. c on ve rs at io n s we et ie s a t t hr ee f ar th in gs " - - " W ha t' s t hi s? t hi s a in 't a l ic en se ? " A le xa nd er 's

n os e l en gt he ne d v is ib ly , h e h ad l os t i t. " I h ad o ne , i nd ee d I h ad , M r. P ol ic em an ! "

" I t's not l ike ly t hey l et you s tar t wi thout . I a m pas sing t he f ar m. You may wa lk wi th me . " " Ca n I c ome

back too? " inquired Pigling Bland. " I see no reason, young Sir; your paper is all right. " Pigling Bland did

n ot l ik e g oi ng on a lon e, a nd i t w as b eg in ni ng t o r ai n. B ut i t i s u nwi se t o a rg ue w it h t he p ol ic e; he g ave hi s

brother a peppermint, and watched him out of sight.

T o con cl ud e t he adv en tu res o f A lexand er - -t he p ol icem an s au nt er ed u p t o t he h ou se abo ut t ea t im e,

f ol lo wed b y a d am p s ub du ed l it tl e p ig . I d is po sed o f A lexand er i n t he n ei gh bo rh oo d; h e d id f ai rl y w el l

w he n h e h ad s et tl ed d ow n.

P ig li ng B la nd w en t o n a lo ne d ej ec te dl y; h e c am e t o c ro ss r oa ds a nd a s ig n- po st -- " T o M ar ke t- to wn 5

mil es , " " Over t he Hil ls , 4 mil es , " " To Pe tt itoe s Far m, 3 mil es . "

P ig li ng B la nd w as s ho ck ed , t he re w as l it tl e h op e o f s le ep in g i n M ar ke t T ow n, a nd t om or ro w w as t he

h ir in g f ai r; i t w as d ep lo ra bl e t o t hi nk h ow m uc h t im e h ad b ee n

wasted by the frivolity of Alexander.

H e g lanced w is tf ul ly alo ng t he r oad t ow ar ds t he h il ls , and t hen s et o ff w al ki ng o bedi en tl y t he o th er w ay ,

buttoning up his coat against the rain. He had never wanted to go; and the idea of standing all by himself

i n a c ro wd ed m ar ke t, t o be s ta re d a t, p us he d, a nd hi re d b y s om e bi g s tr an ge f ar me r w as v er y

disagreeable--

" I w is h I c ou ld h ave a l it tl e ga rd en a nd g ro w p ot at oe s, " s ai d P ig li ng B la nd .

He put h is c ol d ha nd i n hi s poc ke t a nd f el t h is pa pe r, he put hi s ot he r h and i n hi s o th er poc ke t a nd f el tanother paper--Alexander's! Pigling squealed; then ran back frantically, hoping to overtake Alexander

and the policeman.

H e t oo k a w ro ng t ur n- -s ev er al w ro ng t ur ns , a nd w as q ui te l os t.

I t g re w d ar k, t he w in d w hi st le d, t he t re es c re ak ed a nd g ro an ed .

P igl in g B la nd b ec am e f ri gh te ne d a nd c ri ed " W ee , w ee , w ee ! I c an 't f in d m y w ay h om e! "

A ft er a n h our 's w an de ri ng h e g ot o ut o f t he w ood ; t he m oo n s ho ne t hr ou gh t he c lo uds , a nd P ig li ng B la nd

s aw a c ou nt ry t ha t wa s ne w t o hi m.

T he r oa d c ro ss ed a m oo r; b el ow w as a w id e v al le y w it h a r iv er t wi nk li ng i n t he m oo nl ig ht , a nd b ey on d

P a g e 6 1



--in misty distance--lay the hills.

He s aw a small wooden hut, made hi s way to it , and c rept inside -- " I am af raid it IS a he n house, but

wha t c an I do? " s ai d P igl ing B la nd, we t a nd c ol d a nd qui te t ir ed out .

" Bac on and eggs, ba con a nd eggs ! " cl uc ke d a hen on a perc h.

" T ra p, t ra p, t ra p! c ac kl e, c ac kl e, c ac kl e! " s co ld ed t he d is tu rb ed c oc ke re l. " T o m ar ke t, t o m ar ke t!

jiggettyjig! " clucked a broody white hen roosting next to him. Pigling Bland, much alarmed, determined

t o l ea ve a t d ay br ea k. I n t he m ea nt im e, h e a nd t he h en s f el l a sl ee p.

I n l es s t ha n a n h ou r t he y w er e a ll a wa ke ne d. T he o wn er , M r. P et er T ho ma s P ip er so n, c am e w it h a

l ant er n a nd a ha mpe r to c at ch s ix f ow ls t o t ake t o ma rke t i n th e mor ni ng.

H e g ra bb ed t he w hi te he n r oo st in g n ex t t o t he c oc k; t he n h is e ye f el l u pon Pi gl in g B la nd , s que ez ed up i n a

c or ne r. H e m ad e a s in gu la r r em ar k- - " H al lo , h er e' s a no th er ! " - -s ei ze d P ig li ng b y t he s cr uf f o f t he n ec k,

a nd d rop pe d h im i nt o t he h am pe r. T he n h e d ro pp ed i n f iv e m or e d ir ty , ki ck in g, c ac kl in g h en s u pon t hetop of Pigling Bland.

T he h am per con tain in g s ix f ow ls and a y ou ng p ig w as n o l ig ht w ei gh t; i t w as t ak en d ow n h il l, u ns tead il y,

w it h j er ks . P ig li ng , alt ho ug h n earl y s cr at ch ed t o p ieces, con tr iv ed t o h id e t he p ap er s and p ep perm in ts

inside his clothes.

A t l as t t he h am pe r w as b um pe d

d ow n u po n a k it ch en f lo or , t he l id w as o pe ne d, a nd P ig li ng w as l if te d o ut . H e l oo ke d u p, b li nk in g, a nd

s aw an o ff en si vely u gl y eld er ly m an , g ri nn in g f ro m ear t o ear .

" T hi s o ne's com e o f h im self , w hatever, " s ai d M r. P ip er so n, t ur ni ng P ig li ng 's p ockets i ns id e o ut . H e

pushed the hamper into a corner, threw a sack over it to keep the hens quiet, put a pot on the fire, and

u nl aced h is b oo ts .

P ig li ng B la nd d re w f or wa rd a c op py s to ol , a nd s at o n t he e dg e o f i t, s hy ly w ar mi ng h is h an ds . M r.

P ip er so n p ul le d o ff a b oo t a nd t hr ew i t a ga in st t he w ai ns co t a t t he f ur th er e nd o f t he k it ch en . T he re w as a

s mo th er ed n oi se -- " S hu t u p! " s ai d M r. P ip er so n. P ig li ng B la nd w ar me d h is h an ds , a nd e ye d h im .

M r. P ip er so n p ul le d o ff t he o th er b oo t a nd f lu ng i t a ft er t he f ir st , t he re w as a ga in a c ur io us n oi se -- " B e

q ui et , w il l y e? " s ai d M r. P ip er so n. P ig li ng B la nd s at o n t he v er y e dg e o f t he c op py s to ol .

M r. P ip er so n f et ch ed m ea l f ro m a c he st a nd m ad e p or ri dg e, i t s ee me d t o P ig li ng t ha t s om et hi ng a t t he

f ur th er e nd o f t he k it ch en w as t ak in g a s up pr es se d i nt er es t i n t he c oo ki ng ; b ut h e w as t oo h un gr y t o b e

troubled by noises.

M r. P ip er so n p ou red o ut t hr ee p latefu ls : f or h im self , f or P ig li ng , and a t hi rd -aft er g lari ng at P ig li ng -- h e

put away with much scuffling, and locked up. Pigling Bland ate his supper discreetly.

A ft er s up pe r M r. P ip er so n c on su lt ed a n a lm an ac , a nd f el t P ig li ng 's r ib s; i t w as t oo l at e i n t he s ea so n f or

c ur in g b ac on , a nd h e g ru dg ed h is m ea l. B es id es , t he h en s h ad s ee n t hi s p ig .

H e l oo ke d a t t he s ma ll r em ai ns o f a f li tc h [ si de o f b ac on ], a nd t he n l oo ke d u nd ec id edl y a t P igl in g. " Y ou

P a g e 6 2



m ay s le ep on t he r ug, " s ai d M r. P et er T hom as P ipe rs on.

P ig li ng B la nd s le pt l ik e a t op . I n t he m or ni ng M r. P ip er so n m ad e m or e p or ri dg e; t he w ea th er w as

w ar me r. H e l oo ke d h ow m uc h m ea l w as l ef t i n t he c he st , a nd s ee me d d is sa ti sf ie d- - " Y ou 'l l l ik el y b e

m ov in g o n again ? " s ai d h e t o P ig li ng B land .

B ef or e P ig li ng cou ld r ep ly , a n ei gh bo r, w ho w as g iv in g M r. P ip er so n and t he h en s a l if t, w hi st led f ro m t heg at e. M r. P ip er so n h ur ri ed o ut w it h t he h am per, enj oi ni ng P ig li ng t o s hu t t he d oo r b eh in d h im and n ot

me ddl e w it h noug ht ; or " I 'l l c om e ba ck a nd s ki n ye ! " s ai d M r. P ip er son.

I t c ro ss ed P ig li ng 's m in d t ha t i f H E h ad a sk ed f or a l if t, t oo , h e m ig ht s ti ll h av e b ee n i n t im e f or m ar ke t.

B ut h e d is tr us ted P et er T ho mas .

A ft er f in is hi ng b reak fast at h is l ei su re, P ig li ng h ad a l oo k r ou nd t he cot tage; every th in g w as l ocked u p. H e

f ou nd s om e p ot at o p ee li ng s i n a b uc ke t i n t he b ac k k it ch en . P ig li ng a te t he p ee l, a nd w as he d u p t he

porridge plates in the bucket. He sang while he worked--

" Tom wit h hi s pi pe ma de suc h a nois e, He c all ed up al l t he gi rls a nd boys -- " And t he y al l ra n t o he ar hi m

play, " Over the hills and far away!-- "

S ud denl y a l it tl e s mo th er ed v oi ce chi med i n- -

" Ove r t he hi ll s and a gr eat wa y of f, The wind sha ll blow my t op knot off . "

P ig li ng B land p ut d ow n a p late w hi ch h e w as w ip in g, and l is tened.

A ft er a l on g p au se , P ig li ng w en t o n t ip to e a nd p ee pe d r ou nd t he d oo r i nt o t he f ro nt k it ch en ; t he re w asnobody there.

A ft er a no th er p au se , P ig li ng a pp ro ac he d t he d oo r o f t he l oc ke d c up bo ar d, a nd s nu ff ed a t t he k ey ho le . I t

w as q ui te q ui et .

A ft er ano th er l on g p au se, P ig li ng p us hed a p ep perm in t u nd er t he d oo r. I t w as s ucked i n i mm ed iately .

I n t he cou rs e o f t he d ay P ig li ng p us hed i n all h is r em ai ni ng s ix p ep perm in ts .

W he n M r. P ip er so n r et ur ne d, h e f ou nd P ig li ng s it ti ng b ef or e t he f ir e; h e h ad b ru sh ed u p t he h ea rt h a nd put on the pot to boil; the meal was not get-at-able.

M r. P ip er so n w as v er y a ff ab le ; h e s la pp ed P ig li ng o n t he b ac k, m ad e l ot s o f p or ri dg e a nd f or go t t o l oc k

t he me al c he st . He d id l oc k t he c upbo ar d d oo r; but w it hou t pr ope rl y s hut ti ng i t. H e we nt t o b ed e ar ly,

and t ol d P ig li ng u po n n o accou nt t o d is tu rb h im n ex t d ay b ef or e t welv e o 'clo ck .

P ig li ng B land s at b y t he f ir e, eat in g h is s up per.

Al l a t onc e a t hi s e lbo w, a l it tl e voi ce s poke -- " My na me i s P ig- wi g. M ake me mo re p or ri dg e, pl ea se ! "

Pigling Bland jumped, and looked round.

A p er fect ly l ov el y l it tl e b lack B er ks hi re p ig s to od s mi li ng b es id e h im . S he h ad t wi nk ly l it tl e s cr ew ed u p

e ye s, a d oub le c hi n, a nd a s hor t t ur ne d u p n os e.

P a g e 6 3



She poi nt ed a t Pi gl ing' s pl at e; he ha st il y g ave i t t o h er, a nd f le d t o t he m ea l c he st -- " H ow di d you c om e

h er e? " ask ed P ig li ng B land .

" S to len, " r ep li ed P ig -w ig , w it h h er m ou th f ul l. P ig li ng h el ped h im self t o m eal w it ho ut s cr up le. " W hat f or ?

" " Ba con , h am s, " r ep li ed P ig - w ig c he er ful ly . " W hy on e ar th do n' t y ou r un a wa y? " e xc la im ed t he

horrified Pigling.

" I s ha ll a ft er s up pe r, " s ai d P ig - w ig d ec id ed ly .

P ig li ng B land m ad e m or e p or ri dg e and w at ch ed h er s hy ly .

S he f ini she d a s ec ond pl at e, go t up , a nd l oo ke d a bou t he r, a s t hou gh s he we re g oi ng t o s ta rt .

" Y ou c an 't g o i n t he d ar k, " s ai d P ig li ng B la nd .

Pig-wig looked anxious.

" Do you know your w ay by da y- l ight ? "

" I k no w w e c an s ee t hi s l it tl e w hi te ho us e f ro m t he h il ls a cr os s t he r iv er . W hi ch w ay a re _ yo u_ g oi ng ,

Mr . Pi g? "

" T o ma rke t- -I h ave t wo p ig pa pe rs . I mi ght t ake yo u t o t he br id ge ; i f you ha ve no obj ec ti on, " s ai d

P igl ing m uc h c onf us ed a nd s it ti ng o n t he e dg e o f h is c opp y s too l. P ig- w ig 's g ra ti tu de w as s uc h a nd s he

ask ed s o m an y q uest io ns t hat i t b ecam e emb ar rass in g t o P ig li ng B land .

H e wa s ob li ge d t o s hut hi s e ye s a nd p re te nd t o s le ep . S he b ec am e qu ie t, a nd t he re w as a s me ll o f

peppermint.

" I t ho ug ht y ou h ad eat en t hem? " s ai d P ig li ng , w ak in g s ud denl y.

" O nl y t he cor ners , " r ep li ed P ig - w ig , s tu dy in g t he s en ti ment s w it h m uch i nt er es t b y t he f ir el ig ht .

" I w is h y ou w ou ld n' t; h e m ig ht s mell t hem t hr ou gh t he cei li ng , " s ai d t he alarm ed P ig li ng .

P ig -w ig p ut b ack t he s ti ck y p ep perm in ts i nt o h er p ocket; " S in g s om et hi ng , " s he d em an ded.

" I a m s or ry. . . I ha ve t oot h- ac he, " s ai d P ig li ng muc h dis ma ye d.

" Th en I wi ll s ing , " r ep li ed P ig- w ig, " Y ou w il l n ot mi nd i f I s ay i ddy t idd it ty ? I h ave f or got te n s om e of

t he wo rds . "

P igl in g B la nd m ad e n o o bj ec ti on ; h e s at w it h h is e ye s h al f s hu t, a nd w at ch ed he r.

S he w ag ge d h er h ea d a nd r oc ke d a bo ut , c la pp in g t im e a nd s in gi ng i n a s we et l it tl e g ru nt y v oi ce --

" A f un ny o ld m ot her p ig l iv ed i n a s ty e, and t hr ee l it tl e p ig gi es h ad s he; " ( Ti i dd it ty i dd it ty ) u mp h, u mp h,

u mp h! a nd t he l it tl e p ig s s ai d w ee , w ee ! "

P a g e 6 4



S he s an g s uccess fu ll y t hr ou gh t hr ee o r f ou r v er ses, o nl y at every

v er se h er h ea d n od de d a l it tl e l ow er , a nd h er l it tl e t wi nk ly e ye s c lo se d u p- -

" T ho se t hr ee l it tl e pi ggi es g re w p ea ky a nd l ea n, a nd l ea n t he y m ig ht v er y w el l b e; " F or s om eh ow t he y

c ou ld n' t s ay u mp h, u mp h, u mp h! a nd t he y w ou ld n' t s ay w ee , w ee , w ee ! " F or s om eh ow t he y c ou ld n' t

say--

P ig -w ig 's h ea d b ob be d l ow er a nd l ow er , u nt il s he r ol le d o ve r, a l it tl e r ou nd b al l, f as t a sl ee p o n t he

hearth-rug.

P ig li ng B land , o n t ip to e, cov er ed h er u p w it h an ant im acas sar.

H e w as a fr ai d t o g o t o s le ep h im se lf ; f or t he r es t o f t he n ig ht he s at l is te ni ng t o t he c hi rp in g o f t he c ri cke ts

a nd t o t he s no re s o f M r. P ip er so n o ve rh ea d.

E ar ly i n t he m or ni ng , b et ween d ar k and d ay li gh t, P ig li ng t ied u p h is l it tl e b un dl e and w ok e u p P ig - w ig .She wa s e xc it ed a nd ha lf - f ri ght ene d. " B ut i t' s da rk! How c an we f ind our w ay? "

" The c oc k ha s c row ed; w e m us t s ta rt be for e t he h ens c ome o ut ; t he y m ig ht s ho ut t o Mr . Pi pe rs on. "

P ig -w ig s at d ow n a ga in , a nd c om me nc ed t o c ry .

" C ome a wa y P ig- wi g; we c an s ee whe n we ge t us ed t o i t. C om e! I c an h ea r t he m c luc ki ng! "

P igl in g ha d n ev er s ai d s hu h! t o a h en i n h is l if e, b ei ng p ea ce ab le ; a ls o h e r em em be re d t he h am pe r.

H e o pe ne d t he h ou se d oo r q ui et ly a nd s hu t i t a ft er t he m. T he re w as n o g ar de n; t he n ei gh bo rh oo d o f M r.P ip er so n' s w as a ll s cr at ch ed u p b y f ow ls . T he y s li pp ed a wa y h an d i n h an d a cr os s a n u nt id y f ie ld t o t he

road. " Tom, Tom the piper's son, stole a pi g and away he ran! " But all the tune that he could play, was

` Ov er t he h il ls a nd f ar a wa y! ' "

" C om e P ig -w ig , w e m us t g et t o t he b ri dg e b ef or e f ol ks a re s ti rr in g. "

" W hy do y ou w an t t o go t o m ar ke t, P ig li ng ? " i nq ui re d P ig -w ig

T he s un r os e w hi le t he y w er e c ros si ng t he m oo r, a d az zl e o f l ig ht o ve r t he t op s of t he hi ll s. T he s un shi ne

crept d ow n t he s lo pes i nt o t he p eacefu l g reen v al leys , w here l it tl e w hi te cot tages n es tl ed i n g ar dens andorchards.

" T hat' s W es tm or land , " s ai d P ig - w ig . S he d ro pp ed P ig li ng 's h an d and com menced t o d an ce, s in gi ng --

presently. " I don't want; I want to grow potatoes. " " Have a peppermint? " said Pig-wig. Pigling Bland

r ef us ed q ui te cro ss ly . " D oes y ou r p oo r t oo th y h ur t? " i nq ui red P ig - w ig . P ig li ng B land g ru nt ed .

P ig -w ig a te t he p ep pe rm in t h er se lf , a nd f ol lo we d t he o pp os it e s id e o f t he r oa d. " P ig -w ig ! k ee p u nd er t he

w al l, t here's a m an p lo ug hi ng . " P ig -w ig cro ss ed o ver, t hey h ur ri ed d ow n h il l t ow ar ds t he cou nt y

boundary.

Suddenly Pigling stopped; he heard wheels.

P a g e 6 5



S lo wl y j og gi ng u p t he r oa d b el ow t he m c am e a t ra de sm an 's c ar t. T he r ei ns f la pp ed o n t he h or se 's b ac k,

t he g ro ce r w as r ea di ng a n ew sp ap er .

" T ake t ha t pe ppe rm int o ut of you r mo ut h, Pi g- wi g, w e m ay h ave t o r un . Don' t s ay one wor d. Le ave i t t o

m e. A nd i n s ig ht o f t he b ri dg e! " s ai d p oo r P ig li ng , n earl y cry in g. H e b eg an t o w al k f ri gh tf ul ly l am e,

holding Pig-wig's arm.

T he g ro ce r, i nt en t u po n h is n ew sp ap er , m ig ht h av e p as se d t he m, i f h is h or se h ad n ot s hi ed a nd s no rt ed .

H e p ul le d t he c ar t

c ros sw ay s, a nd h el d d ow n h is w hi p. " H al lo ? W he re a re y ou g oi ng t o? " - -P ig li ng B la nd s ta re d a t h im

vacantly.

" A re y ou d ea f? A re y ou go in g t o m ar ke t? " P ig li ng n od de d s lo wl y.

" I t ho ug ht a s m uc h. I t w as y es te rd ay . S ho w m e y ou r l ic en se ? "

P ig li ng s ta re d a t t he o ff h in d s ho e o f t he g ro ce r' s h or se w hi ch h ad p ic ke d u p a s to ne .

T he g ro ce r f li ck ed hi s w hi p- - " P ap er s? P ig l ic en se ? " P igl ing f um bl ed i n a ll h is p oc ke ts , a nd h an de d up

t he p ap er s. T he g roc er r ea d t he m, b ut s ti ll s ee me d d is sa ti sf ie d. " T hi s h er e p ig i s a y ou ng l ad y; i s h er

name Alexander? " Pig-wig opened her mouth and shut it again; Pigling coughed asthmatically.

T he g ro ce r r an h is f in ge r d ow n t he a dv er ti se me nt c ol um n o f h is n ew sp ap er -- " L os t, s to le n o r s tr ay ed ,

1 0S . r ew ar d; " h e l oo ke d s us pi ci ou sl y a t P ig -w ig . T he n h e s to od u p i n t he t ra p, a nd w hi st le d f or t he

ploughman.

" You wa it he re w hil e I dr ive on a nd s pe ak t o hi m, " s aid t he gr oc er , ga the ri ng up t he r ei ns . He k ne w t ha t pigs are slippery; but surely, such a VERY lame pig could never run!

" N ot y et , Pi g- wi g, he wi ll l ook ba ck. " The gr oc er di d s o; he s aw t he t wo pi gs s toc k- st il l i n t he mi d-

dl e of t he r oa d. T he n he l ooke d ov er a t h is ho rs e' s he el s; i t w as l am e a ls o; t he s ton e t oo k s ome t ime t o

k no ck o ut , a ft er h e g ot t o t he p lo ug hm an .

" N ow , P ig -w ig , N OW ! " s ai d P ig li ng B land .

Never did any pigs run as these pigs ran! They raced and squealed and pelted down the long white hillt ow ar ds t he b ri dg e. L it tl e f at P ig - w ig 's p et ti co at s f lu tt er ed , a nd h er f ee t w en t p it te r, p at te r, p it te r, a s s he

bounded and jumped.

The y r an, a nd t he y r an, a nd t he y r an dow n t he hi ll , a nd a cro ss a s hor t c ut on l ev el gr ee n t ur f a t t he

bottom, between pebble beds and rushes.

T he y c am e t o t he r iv er , t he y c am e t o t he b ri dg e- -t he y c ro ss ed i t h an d i n h an d- -t he n o ve r t he h il ls a nd f ar

away she danced with Pigling Bland!

GINGER AND PICKLES

P a g e 6 6



[ De di ca te d Wi th ve ry ki nd r eg ar ds t o ol d Mr . J ohn Ta yl or , Who " t hi nks he mi gh t pa ss a s a dor mous e, "

( Th re e y ea rs i n b ed a nd n ev er a g ru mb le !) .]

Onc e upon a t ime t he re wa s a vi ll age s hop. Th e na me o ve r t he wi ndow wa s " G in ge r a nd Pi ckl es . "

I t w as a l it tl e s ma ll s ho p j us t t he r ig ht s iz e f or D ol ls -- L uc in da a nd J an e D ol l- co ok a lw ay s b ou gh t t he ir g ro ceri es at G in ger and P ickl es .

T he cou nt er i ns id e w as a con veni en t h ei gh t f or r ab bi ts . G in ger and P ickl es s ol d r ed s po tt y p ocket

handkerchiefs at a penny three farthings.

T hey als o s ol d s ug ar , and s nu ff and g al os hes.

I n f ac t, a lt ho ug h i t w as s uc h a s ma ll s ho p i t s ol d n ea rl y e ve ryt hi ng -- exc ept a f ew t hi ng s t ha t yo u w an t i n a

h ur ry -- li ke b oo tl aces, h ai r- p in s and m ut to n cho ps .

G ing er a nd Pi ckl es we re t he pe opl e wh o ke pt t he s ho p. G in ge r w as a y el low t om ca t, a nd Pi ckl es wa s a

terrier.

T he r ab bi ts w er e a lw ay s a l it tl e b it a fr ai d o f P ic kl es .

T he s ho p w as a ls o p at ro ni ze d b y m ic e- -o nl y t he m ic e w er e r at he r a fr ai d o f G in ge r.

G in ge r u su al ly r eq ue st ed P ic kl es t o s er ve t he m, b ec au se h e s ai d i t m ad e h is m ou th w at er .

" I c annot be ar , " s ai d he , " t o s ee t he m goi ng out a t t he door c ar ryi ng t he ir l itt le p arc el s. "

" I h ave t he s ame f ee li ng a bout r at s, " r epl ie d Pi ckl es , " but i t w oul d ne ve r do t o e at our c us tome rs ; t he y

w ou ld l ea ve u s a nd go t o T ab it ha T wi tc hi t' s. "

" O n t he con tr ar y, t hey w ou ld g o n ow here, " r ep li ed G in ger g lo om il y.

( Tabi th a T wi tchi t k ep t t he o nl y o th er s ho p i n t he v il lage. S he d id n ot g iv e credi t. )

But the re is no money in what is ca lle d the " til l. "

Ginger and Pickles gave unlimited credit.

Now the meaning of " credit " is this--when a customer buys a bar of soap, instead of the customer

pulling out a purse and paying for it --she says she will pay another time.

An d Pi ck le s ma ke s a l ow bo w a nd s ays , " Wi th pl ea sur e, m ada m, " a nd i t i s wr it te n do wn i n a boo k.

T he cus to mers com e again and again , and b uy q uant it ies, i n s pi te o f b ei ng afr ai d o f G in ger and P ickl es .

T he cus to mers cam e i n cro wd s every d ay and b ou gh t q uant it ies, esp eciall y t he t of fee cus to mers . B ut

t he re w as a lw ay s n o m on ey ; t he y n ev er p ai d f or a s m uc h a s a p en ny - w or th o f p ep pe rm in ts .

B ut t he s al es w er e e no rm ou s, t en t im es a s l ar ge a s T ab it ha T wi tc hi t' s.

P a g e 6 7



A s t he re w as a lw ay s n o m on ey , G in ge r a nd P ic kl es w er e o bl ig ed t o e at t he ir o wn g oo ds .

P ic kl es a te b is cu it s a nd G in ge r a te a d ri ed h ad do ck .

T he y a te t he m b y c an dl e- l ig ht a ft er t he s ho p w as c lo se d.

" It is ve ry unc omfor ta bl e, I a m a fra id I s hal l be s ummone d. I ha ve t rie d i n va in to ge t a l ic ense uponc re dit a t t he Pos t Of fi ce ; " s ai d Pi ckle s. " The pl ac e i s f ul l of pol ic eme n. I me t one a s I wa s c omi ng

home.

" Le t us s end i n t he b il l a ga in t o Sa mue l Whi ske rs , G inge r, he o we s 22/ 9 f or ba con. "

" I do not bel ie ve t ha t he i nt ends t o pa y a t a ll, " r epli ed Gi nge r.

W he n i t c ame t o J an. 1 st t he re w as s ti ll no mon ey, a nd P ic kl es wa s u na bl e t o buy a dog l ic en se .

" I t i s ve ry unpl ea sa nt , I a m a fr aid of t he pol ic e, " s ai d Pic kl es .

" I t i s your own f au lt f or be in g a t er ri er ; _I _ do not r equ ir e a l ic en se , a nd ne it he r do es K ep, t he C ol li e

do g. "

" A nd I f ee l s ur e t ha t A nn a M ar ia p oc ke ts t hi ng s- -

" W he re a re a ll t he c re am c ra ck er s? "

" Y ou h av e eat en t hem y ou rs el f. " r ep li ed G in ger.

G in ge r a nd P ic kl es r et ir ed i nt o t he b ac k p ar lo r.

T he y d id a cc ou nt s. T he y a dd ed u p s um s a nd s um s, a nd s um s.

" Sa mue l Whi sker s ha s r un up a bi ll as l ong a s hi s t ail ; he ha s ha d a n ounc e a nd thr ee - qua rt er s of s nuff

s i nce O cto b er .

" W ha t i s s eve n pou nds of b ut te r a t 1 /3, a nd a s ti ck of s ea li ng wa x a nd f our m at che s? "

" S en d i n all t he b il ls again t o every bo dy ` wi th com pl im en ts ,' " r ep li ed G in ger.

P ic kl es n ea rl y h ad a f it , h e b ar ke d a nd h e b ar ke d a nd m ad e l it tl e r us he s.

" B it e h im , P ic kl es ! bi te h im ! " s pl ut te re d G in ge r be hi nd a s ug ar ba rr el , " he 's o nl y a G er ma n d ol l! "

T he p ol ic em an w en t o n w ri ti ng i n h is n ot ebo ok ; t wi ce h e pu t hi s p enc il i n h is m ou th , a nd o nc e he d ip pe d

i t i n t he t re ac le .

P ic kl es b ar ke d t il l h e w as h oa rs e. B ut s ti ll t he p ol ic em an t oo k n o n ot ic e. H e h ad b ea d e ye s, a nd h is

h el met w as s ew ed o n w it h s ti tches.

Af te r a t ime t he y he ar d a noi se in t he s hop, a s i f s om et hi ng ha d be en pus he d i n a t t he door . The y c am e

o ut o f t he b ac k p ar lo r. T he re w as a n e nv el op e l yi ng o n t he c ou nt er , a nd a p ol ic em an w ri ti ng i n a

notebook!

P a g e 6 8



A t l en gt h o n h is l as t l it tl e r us h- -P ickl es f ou nd t hat t he s ho p w as emp ty . T he p ol icem an h ad d is ap pear ed .

But the envelope remained.

" Do you t hink t hat he has gone to f etc h a re al li ve pol ice ma n? I a m a fra id it i s a summons , " sa id Pic kle s.

" No, " re pl ie d Ginge r, who ha d ope ne d the e nvel ope, " it is t he rat es and ta xe s, 3 pounds 19 11 3/ 4. "

[ po un ds are B ri ti sh m on ey , t he 1 9 i s s ch il li ng s, and t hen p en ce]

" This is the last straw, " said Pickles, " let us close the shop. "

T he y p ut u p t he s hu tt er s, a nd l ef t. B ut t he y h av e n ot r em ov ed f ro m t he n ei gh bo rh oo d. I n f ac t s om e

people wish they had gone further.

G in ge r i s l iv in g i n t he w ar re n [ ga me p re se rv e f or r ab bi ts ]. I d o n ot k no w w ha t o cc up at io n h e p ur su es ; h e

l oo ks s to ut and com fo rt abl e.

P ic kl es i s a t pr es en t a ga me - k ee pe r.

A ft er a t im e M r. J oh n D or mo us e a nd h is d au gh te r b eg an t o s el l p ep pe rm in ts a nd c an dl es .

But t he y di d not ke ep " s el f- fi tti ng s ixes " ; a nd it t akes f ive mic e t o c arr y one s eve n i nc h ca ndl e.

The closing of the shop caused great inconvenience. Tabitha Twitchit immediately raised the price of

every th in g a h al fp en ny ; and s he con ti nu ed t o r ef us e t o g iv e credi t.

O f cou rs e t here ar e t he t rades men' s cart s -- t he b ut ch er , t he f i sh man and T im ot hy B ak er .

B ut a pe rs on c ann ot l iv e on " s ee d wi gs " a nd s pon ge c ak e a nd but te r bu ns -- not e ve n w he n t he s pon ge

c ake i s a s g oo d a s Ti mot hy 's !

A nd M is s D or mou se r ef us ed t o t ak e ba ck t he e nd s w he n t he y w er e br ou gh t ba ck t o h er w it h

complaints.

A nd w he n M r. J oh n D or mo us e w as c om pl ai ne d t o, h e s ta ye d i n b ed , a nd w ou ld s ay n ot hi ng b ut " v er y

s nug; " whi ch is not t he wa y to c ar ry on a r et ail bus ine ss .

B es id es -- th e can dl es w hi ch t hey s el l b eh av e v er y s tr an gely i n w ar m w eath er .

S o e ve ry bo dy w as p le as ed w he n S al ly H en ny P en ny s en t o ut a p ri nt ed p os te r t o s ay t ha t s he w as g oi ng

t o r eop en t he s ho p- - " H en ny 's O peni ng S al e! G rand coo per at iv e J um bl e! P en ny 's p en ny p ri ces ! C om e

buy, come try, come buy! "

T he p os ter r eall y w as m os t ' ti ci ng .

T he re w as a r us h u po n t he o pe ni ng d ay . T he s ho p w as c ra mm ed w it h c us to me rs , a nd t he re w er e c ro wd s

o f m ice u po n t he b is cu it can ni st er s.

S al ly H en ny P en ny g et s r at he r f lu st er ed w he n s he t ri es t o c ou nt o ut c ha ng e, a nd s he i ns is ts o n b ei ng pa id

c as h; b ut s he i s q ui te h ar ml es s.

P a g e 6 9



A nd s he h as l ai d i n a r em ar ka bl e a ss or tm en t o f b ar ga in s.

T here i s s om et hi ng t o p leas e every bo dy .

Potter. Beatrix the Great Big Treasury of Beatrix Potter

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Transcript of Potter. Beatrix the Great Big Treasury of Beatrix Potter