Buttherewasnobodythere。
　　Duchessinthemeantime，hadslippedoutatthebackdoor。
　　"ItisaveryoddthingthatRibby’spiewasNOTintheovenwhenIputminein!AndIcan’tfinditanywhere；
　　Ihavelookedalloverthehouse。IputMYpieintoanicehotovenatthetop。
　　Icouldnotturnanyoftheotherhandles；Ithinkthattheyareallshams，"saidDuchess，"butIwishI
　　couldhaveremovedthepiemadeofmouse!Icannotthinkwhatshehasdonewithit？IheardRibbycomingandIhadtorunoutbythebackdoor!"
　　Duchesswenthomeandbrushedherbeautifulblackcoat；andthenshepickedabunchofflowersinhergardenasapresentforRibby；andpassedthetimeuntiltheclockstruckfour。
　　Ribby——havingassuredherselfbycarefulsearchthattherewasreallynoonehidinginthecupboardorinthelarder——wentupstairstochangeherdress。
　　Shecamedownstairsagain，andmadethetea，andputtheteapotonthehob。ShepeepedagainintotheBOTTOMoven，thepiehadbecomealovelybrown，anditwassteaminghot。
　　Shesatdownbeforethefiretowaitforthelittledog。"IamgladIusedtheBOTTOMoven，"saidRibby，"thetoponewouldcertainlyhavebeenverymuchtoohot。"
　　Verypunctuallyatfouro’clock，Duchessstartedtogototheparty。
　　Ataquarterpastfourtotheminute，therecameamostgenteellittletap—tappity。
　　"IsMrs。Ribstonathome？"inquiredDuchessintheporch。
　　"Comein!andhowdoyoudo，mydearDuchess？"criedRibby。"IhopeI
　　seeyouwell？"
　　"Quitewell，Ithankyou，andhowdoYOUdo，mydearRibby？"saidDuchess。"I’vebroughtyousomeflowers；whatadelicioussmellofpie!"
　　"Oh，whatlovelyflowers!Yes，itismouseandbacon!"
　　"Ithinkitwantsanotherfiveminutes，"
　　saidRibby。"Justashadelonger；Iwillpouroutthetea，whilewewait。
　　Doyoutakesugar，mydearDuchess？"
　　"Ohyes，please!mydearRibby；andmayIhavealumpuponmynose？"
　　"Withpleasure，mydearDuchess。"
　　Duchesssatupwiththesugaronhernoseandsniffed——
　　"Howgoodthatpiesmells!Idolovevealandham——Imeantosaymouseandbacon——"
　　Shedroppedthesugarinconfusion，andhadtogohuntingunderthetea—
　　table，sodidnotseewhichovenRibbyopenedinordertogetoutthepie。
　　Ribbysetthepieuponthetable；
　　therewasaverysavourysmell。
　　Duchesscameoutfromunderthetable—clothmunchingsugar，andsatuponachair。
　　"Iwillfirstcutthepieforyou；Iamgoingtohavemuffinandmarmalade，"saidRibby。
　　"Ithink"——（thoughtDuchesstoherself）——"ITHINKitwouldbewiserifIhelpedmyselftopie；thoughRibbydidnotseemtonoticeanythingwhenshewascuttingit。Whatverysmallfinepiecesithascookedinto!IdidnotrememberthatIhadminceditupsofine；Isupposethisisaquickeroventhanmyown。"
　　Thepie—dishwasemptyingrapidly!
　　Duchesshadhadfourhelpsalready，andwasfumblingwiththespoon。
　　"Alittlemorebacon，mydearDuchess？"saidRibby。
　　"Thankyou，mydearRibby；Iwasonlyfeelingforthepatty—pan。"
　　"Thepatty—pan？mydearDuchess？"
　　"Thepattypanthatheldupthepie—crust，"saidDuchess，blushingunderherblackcoat。
　　"Oh，Ididn’tputonein，mydearDuchess，"saidRibby；"Idon’tthinkthatitisnecessaryinpiesmadeofmouse。"
　　Duchessfumbledwiththespoon——
　　"Ican’tfindit!"shesaidanxiously。
　　"Thereisn’tapatty—pan，"saidRibby，lookingperplexed。
　　"Yes，indeed，mydearRibby；wherecanithavegoneto？"saidDuchess。
　　Duchesslookedverymuchalarmed，andcontinuedtoscooptheinsideofthepie—dish。
　　"Ihaveonlyfourpatty—pans，andtheyareallinthecupboard。"
　　Duchesssetupahowl。
　　"Ishalldie!Ishalldie!Ihaveswallowedapatty—pan!Oh，mydearRibby，Idofeelsoill!"
　　"Itisimpossible，mydearDuchess；
　　therewasnotapatty—pan。"
　　"YesthereWAS，mydearRibby，IamsureIhaveswallowedit!"
　　"Letmepropyouupwithapillow，mydearDuchess；wheredoyouthinkyoufeelit？"
　　"OhIdofeelsoillALLOVERme，mydearRibby。"
　　"ShallIrunforthedoctor？"
　　"Ohyes，yes!fetchDr。Maggotty，mydearRibby：heisaPiehimself，hewillcertainlyunderstand。"
　　RibbysettledDuchessinanarmchairbeforethefire，andwentoutandhurriedtothevillagetolookforthedoctor。
　　Shefoundhimatthesmithy。
　　Ribbyexplainedthatherguesthadswallowedapatty—pan。
　　Dr。MaggottyhoppedsofastthatRibbyhadtorun。Itwasmostconspicuous。AllthevillagecouldseethatRibbywasfetchingthedoctor。
　　ButwhileRibbyhadbeenhuntingforthedoctor——acuriousthinghadhappenedtoDuchess，whohadbeenleftbyherself，sittingbeforethefire，sighingandgroaningandfeelingveryunhappy。
　　"HowCOULDIhaveswallowedit!
　　suchalargethingasapatty—pan!"
　　Shesatdownagain，andstaredmournfullyatthegrate。Thefirecrackledanddanced，andsomethingsizz—z—zled!
　　Duchessstarted!SheopenedthedooroftheTOPoven；——outcamearichsteamyflavourofvealandham，andtherestoodafinebrownpie，——
　　andthroughaholeinthetopofthepie—crusttherewasaglimpseofalittletinpatty—pan!
　　Duchessdrewalongbreath——
　　"ThenImusthavebeeneatingMOUSE!……NowonderIfeelill……
　　ButperhapsIshouldfeelworseifI
　　hadreallyswallowedapatty—pan!"
　　Duchessreflected——"WhataveryawkwardthingtohavetoexplaintoRibby!IthinkIwillputMYpieintheback—yardandsaynothingaboutit。
　　WhenIgohome，Iwillrunroundandtakeitaway。"Sheputitoutsidetheback—door，andsaydownagainbythefire，andshuthereyes；whenRibbyarrivedwiththedoctor，sheseemedfastasleep。
　　"Iamfeelingverymuchbetter，"
　　saidDuchess，wakingupwithajump。
　　"Iamtrulygladtohearit!Hehasbroughtyouapill，mydearDuchess!"
　　"IthinkIshouldfeelQUITEwellifheonlyfeltmypulse，"saidDuchess，backingawayfromthemagpie，whosidledupwithsomethinginhisbeak。
　　"Itisonlyabreadpill，youhadmuchbettertakeit；drinkalittlemilk，mydearDuchess!"
　　"Iamfeelingverymuchbetter，mydearRibby，"saidDuchess。"DoyounotthinkthatIhadbettergohomebeforeitgetsdark？"
　　"Perhapsitmightbewise，mydearDuchess。"
　　RibbyandDuchesssaidgood—byeaffectionately，andDuchessstartedhome。Half—wayupthelaneshestoppedandlookedback；Ribbyhadgoneinandshutherdoor。Duchessslippedthroughthefence，andranroundtothebackofRibby’shouse，andpeepedintotheyard。
　　Upontheroofofthepig—styesatDr。
　　Maggottyandthreejackdaws。Thejackdawswereeatingpiecrust，andthemagpiewasdrinkinggravyoutofapatty—pan。
　　Duchessranhomefeelinguncommonlysilly!
　　WhenRibbycameoutforapailfulofwatertowashupthetea—things，shefoundapinkandwhitepie—dishlyingsmashedinthemiddleoftheyard。
　　Ribbystaredwithamazement——
　　"Didyoueverseethelike!sotherereallyWASapatty—pan？……ButMY
　　patty—pansareallinthekitchencupboard。WellIneverdid!……NexttimeIwanttogiveaparty——IwillinviteCousinTabithaTwitchit!"
　　THETALEOF
　　MR。JEREMYFISHER
　　[ForStephaniefromCousinB。]
　　OnceuponatimetherewasafrogcalledMr。JeremyFisher；helivedinalittledamphouseamongstthebuttercupsattheedgeofapond。
　　Thewaterwasallslippy—sloppyinthelarderandinthebackpassage。
　　ButMr。Jeremylikedgettinghisfeetwet；nobodyeverscoldedhim，andhenevercaughtacold!
　　Hewasquitepleasedwhenhelookedoutandsawlargedropsofrain，splashinginthepond——
　　"Iwillgetsomewormsandgofishingandcatchadishofminnowsformydinner，"saidMr。JeremyFisher。"IfIcatchmorethanfivefish，I
　　willinvitemyfriendsMr。AldermanPtolemyTortoiseandSirIsaacNewton。TheAlderman，however，eatssalad。"
　　Mr。Jeremyputonamackintosh，andapairofshinygaloshes；hetookhisrodandbasket，andsetoffwithenormoushopstotheplacewherehekepthisboat。
　　Theboatwasroundandgreen，andveryliketheotherlily—leaves。Itwastiedtoawater—plantinthemiddleofthepond。
　　Mr。Jeremytookareedpole，andpushedtheboatoutintoopenwater。
　　"Iknowagoodplaceforminnows，"
　　saidMr。JeremyFisher。
　　Mr。Jeremystuckhispoleintothemudandfastenedtheboattoit。
　　Thenhesettledhimselfcross—
　　leggedandarrangedhisfishingtackle。Hehadthedearestlittleredfloat。Hisrodwasatoughstalkofgrass，hislinewasafinelongwhitehorse—hair，andhetiedalittlewrigglingwormattheend。
　　Theraintrickleddownhisback，andfornearlyanhourhestaredatthefloat。
　　"Thisisgettingtiresome，IthinkI
　　shouldlikesomelunch，"saidMr。
　　JeremyFisher。
　　Hepuntedbackagainamongstthewater—plants，andtooksomelunchoutofhisbasket。
　　"Iwilleatabutterflysandwich，andwaittilltheshowerisover，"saidMr。JeremyFisher。
　　Agreatbigwater—beetlecameupunderneaththelilyleafandtweakedthetoeofoneofhisgaloshes。
　　Mr。Jeremycrossedhislegsupshorter，outofreach，andwentoneatinghissandwich。
　　Onceortwicesomethingmovedaboutwitharustleandasplashamongsttherushesatthesideofthepond。
　　"Itrustthatisnotarat，"saidMr。
　　JeremyFisher；"IthinkIhadbettergetawayfromhere。"
　　Mr。Jeremyshovedtheboatoutagainalittleway，anddroppedinthebait。Therewasabitealmostdirectly；
　　thefloatgaveatremendousbobbit!
　　"Aminnow!aminnow!Ihavehimbythenose!"criedMr。JeremyFisher，jerkinguphisrod。
　　Butwhatahorriblesurprise!
　　Insteadofasmoothfatminnow，Mr。
　　JeremylandedlittleJackSharp，thestickleback，coveredwithspines!
　　Thesticklebackflounderedabouttheboat，prickingandsnappinguntilhewasquiteoutofbreath。Thenhejumpedbackintothewater。
　　Andashoalofotherlittlefishesputtheirheadsout，andlaughedatMr。
　　JeremyFisher。
　　AndwhileMr。Jeremysatdisconsolatelyontheedgeofhisboat——suckinghissorefingersandpeeringdownintothewater——aMUCH
　　worsethinghappened；areallyFRIGHTFULthingitwouldhavebeen，ifMr。Jeremyhadnotbeenwearingamackintosh!
　　Agreatbigenormoustroutcameup——ker—pflop—p—p—p!withasplash——
　　anditseizedMr。Jeremywithasnap，"Ow!Ow!Ow!"——andthenitturnedanddiveddowntothebottomofthepond!
　　Butthetroutwassodispleasedwiththetasteofthemackintosh，thatinlessthanhalfaminuteitspathimoutagain；andtheonlythingitswallowedwasMr。Jeremy’sgaloshes。
　　Mr。Jeremybounceduptothesurfaceofthewater，likeacorkandthebubblesoutofasodawaterbottle；andheswamwithallhismighttotheedgeofthepond。
　　Hescrambledoutonthefirstbankhecameto，andhehoppedhomeacrossthemeadowwithhismackintoshallintatters。
　　"Whatamercythatwasnotapike!"saidMr。JeremyFisher。"Ihavelostmyrodandbasket；butitdoesnotmuchmatter，forIamsureI
　　shouldneverhavedaredtogofishingagain!"
　　Heputsomestickingplasteronhisfingers，andhisfriendsbothcametodinner。Hecouldnotofferthemfish，buthehadsomethingelseinhislarder。
　　SirIsaacNewtonworehisblackandgoldwaistcoat。
　　AndMr。AldermanPtolemyTortoisebroughtasaladwithhiminastringbag。
　　Andinsteadofanicedishofminnows，theyhadaroastedgrasshopperwithlady—birdsauce，whichfrogsconsiderabeautifultreat；
　　but_I_thinkitmusthavebeennasty!
　　THESTORYOF
　　AFIERCEBADRABBIT
　　ThisisafiercebadRabbit；lookathissavagewhiskersandhisclawsandhisturned—uptail。
　　ThisisanicegentleRabbit。Hismotherhasgivenhimacarrot。
　　ThebadRabbitwouldlikesomecarrot。
　　Hedoesn’tsay"Please。"Hetakesit!
　　AndhescratchesthegoodRabbitverybadly。
　　ThegoodRabbitcreepsawayandhidesinahole。Itfeelssad。
　　Thisisamanwithagun。
　　Heseessomethingsittingonabench。Hethinksitisaveryfunnybird!
　　Hecomescreepingupbehindthetrees。
　　Andthenheshoots——BANG!
　　Thisiswhathappens——
　　Butthisisallhefindsonthebenchwhenherushesupwithhisgun。
　　ThegoodRabbitpeepsoutofitshole……anditseesthebadRabbittearingpast——withoutanytailorwhiskers!
　　THESTORYOF
　　MISSMOPPET
　　ThisisaPussycalledMissMoppet；
　　shethinksshehasheardamouse!
　　ThisistheMousepeepingoutbehindthecupboardandmakingfunofMissMoppet。Heisnotafraidofakitten。
　　ThisisMissMoppetjumpingjusttoolate；shemissestheMouseandhitsherownhead。
　　Shethinksitisaveryhardcupboard!
　　TheMousewatchesMissMoppetfromthetopofthecupboard。
　　MissMoppettiesupherheadinadusterandsitsbeforethefire。
　　TheMousethinkssheislookingveryill。Hecomesslidingdownthebellpull。
　　MissMoppetlooksworseandworse。TheMousecomesalittlenearer。
　　MissMoppetholdsherpoorheadinherpawsandlooksathimthroughaholeintheduster。TheMousecomesVERYclose。
　　Andthenallofasudden——MissMoppetjumpsupontheMouse!
　　AndbecausetheMousehasteasedMissMoppet——MissMoppetthinksshewillteasetheMouse，whichisnotatallniceofMissMoppet。
　　Shetieshimupinthedusterandtossesitaboutlikeaball。
　　Butsheforgotaboutthatholeintheduster；andwhensheuntiedit——
　　therewasnoMouse!
　　Hehaswriggledoutandrunaway；
　　andheisdancingajigontopofthecupboard!
　　THETALEOF
　　TOMKITTEN
　　[DedicatedtoAllPickles，——EspeciallytoThoseThatGetuponMyGardenWall]
　　Onceuponatimetherewerethreelittlekittens，andtheirnameswereMittens，TomKitten，andMoppet。
　　Theyhaddearlittlefurcoatsoftheirown；andtheytumbledaboutthedoorstepandplayedinthedust。
　　Butonedaytheirmother——Mrs。
　　TabithaTwitchit——expectedfriendstotea；soshefetchedthekittensindoors，towashanddressthem，beforethefinecompanyarrived。
　　Firstshescrubbedtheirfaces（thisoneisMoppet）。
　　Thenshebrushedtheirfur（thisoneisMittens）。
　　Thenshecombedtheirtailsandwhiskers（thisisTomKitten）。
　　Tomwasverynaughty，andhescratched。
　　Mrs。TabithadressedMoppetandMittensincleanpinaforesandtuckers；andthenshetookallsortsofelegantuncomfortableclothesoutofachestofdrawers，inordertodressuphersonThomas。
　　TomKittenwasveryfat，andhehadgrown；severalbuttonsburstoff。
　　Hismothersewedthemonagain。
　　Whenthethreekittenswereready，Mrs。Tabithaunwiselyturnedthemoutintothegarden，tobeoutofthewaywhileshemadehotbutteredtoast。
　　"Nowkeepyourfrocksclean，children!Youmustwalkonyourhindlegs。Keepawayfromthedirtyash—
　　pit，andfromSallyHennyPenny，andfromthepigstyandthePuddle—
　　ducks。"
　　MoppetandMittenswalkeddownthegardenpathunsteadily。Presentlytheytrodupontheirpinaforesandfellontheirnoses。
　　Whentheystooduptherewereseveralgreensmears!
　　"Letusclimbuptherockeryandsitonthegardenwall，"saidMoppet。
　　Theyturnedtheirpinaforesbacktofrontandwentupwithaskipandajump；Moppet’swhitetuckerfelldownintotheroad。
　　TomKittenwasquiteunabletojumpwhenwalkinguponhishindlegsintrousers。Hecameuptherockerybydegrees，breakingthefernsandsheddingbuttonsrightandleft。
　　Hewasallinpieceswhenhereachedthetopofthewall。
　　MoppetandMittenstriedtopullhimtogether；hishatfelloff，andtherestofhisbuttonsburst。
　　Whiletheywereindifficulties，therewasapitpat，paddlepat!andthethreePuddle—duckscamealongthehardhighroad，marchingonebehindtheotheranddoingthegoosestep——
　　pitpat，paddlepat!pitpat，waddlepat!
　　Theystoppedandstoodinarowandstaredupatthekittens。Theyhadverysmalleyesandlookedsurprised。
　　Thenthetwoduck—birds，RebeccahandJemimaPuddle—duck，pickedupthehatandtuckerandputthemon。
　　Mittenslaughedsothatshefelloffthewall。MoppetandTomdescendedafterher；thepinaforesandalltherestofTom’sclothescameoffonthewaydown。
　　"Come!Mr。DrakePuddle—duck，"
　　saidMoppet。"Comeandhelpustodresshim!ComeandbuttonupTom!"
　　Mr。DrakePuddle—duckadvancedinaslowsidewaysmannerandpickedupthevariousarticles。
　　ButheputthemonHIMSELF!TheyfittedhimevenworsethanTomKitten。
　　"It’saveryfinemorning!"saidMr。
　　DrakePuddle—duck。
　　AndheandJemimaandRebeccahPuddle—ducksetoffuptheroad，keepingstep——pitpat，paddlepat!pitpat，waddlepat!
　　ThenTabithaTwitchitcamedownthegardenandfoundherkittensonthewallwithnoclotheson。
　　Shepulledthemoffthewall，smackedthem，andtookthembacktothehouse。
　　"Myfriendswillarriveinaminute，andyouarenotfittobeseen；Iamaffronted，"saidMrs。TabithaTwitchit。
　　Shesentthemupstairs；andIamsorrytosayshetoldherfriendsthattheywereinbedwiththemeasles——
　　whichwasnottrue。
　　Quitethecontrary；theywerenotinbed：
　　NOTintheleast。
　　Somehowtherewereveryextra——
　　ordinarynoisesoverhead，whichdisturbedthedignityandreposeoftheteaparty。
　　AndIthinkthatsomedayIshallhavetomakeanother，largerbook，totellyoumoreaboutTomKitten!
　　AsforthePuddle—ducks——theywentintoapond。
　　Theclothesallcameoffdirectly，becausetherewerenobuttons。
　　AndMr。DrakePuddle—duck，andJemimaandRebeccah，havebeenlookingforthemeversince。
　　THETALEOF
　　JEMIMAPUDDLE—DUCK
　　[AFarmyardTaleforRalphandBetsy]
　　Whatafunnysightitistoseeabroodofducklingswithahen!
　　ListentothestoryofJemimaPuddle—duck，whowasannoyedbecausethefarmer’swifewouldnotletherhatchherowneggs。
　　Hersister—in—law，Mrs。RebeccahPuddle—duck，wasperfectlywillingtoleavethehatchingtosomeoneelse——
　　"Ihavenotthepatiencetositonanestfortwenty—eightdays；andnomorehaveyou，Jemima。Youwouldletthemgocold；youknowyouwould!"
　　"Iwishtohatchmyowneggs；Iwillhatchthemallbymyself，"quackedJemimaPuddle—duck。
　　Shetriedtohidehereggs；buttheywerealwaysfoundandcarriedoff。
　　JemimaPuddle—duckbecamequitedesperate。Shedeterminedtomakeanestrightawayfromthefarm。
　　Shesetoffonafinespringafternoonalongthecartroadthatleadsoverthehill。
　　Shewaswearingashawlandapokebonnet。
　　Whenshereachedthetopofthehill，shesawawoodinthedistance。
　　Shethoughtthatitlookedasafequietspot。
　　JemimaPuddle—duckwasnotmuchinthehabitofflying。Sherandownhillafewyardsflappinghershawl，andthenshejumpedoffintotheair。
　　Sheflewbeautifullywhenshehadgotagoodstart。
　　Sheskimmedalongoverthetreetopsuntilshesawanopenplaceinthemiddleofthewood，wherethetreesandbrushwoodhadbeencleared。
　　Jemimaalightedratherheavilyandbegantowaddleaboutinsearchofaconvenientdrynestingplace。Sheratherfanciedatreestumpamongstsometallfoxgloves。
　　But——seateduponthestump，shewasstartledtofindanelegantlydressedgentlemanreadinganewspaper。Hehadblackprickearsandsandycoloredwhiskers。
　　"Quack？"saidJemimaPuddle—
　　duck，withherheadandherbonnetontheoneside——"Quack？"
　　ThegentlemanraisedhiseyesabovehisnewspaperandlookedcuriouslyatJemima——
　　"Madam，haveyoulostyourway？"
　　saidhe。Hehadalongbushytailwhichhewassittingupon，asthestumpwassomewhatdamp。
　　Jemimathoughthimmightycivilandhandsome。Sheexplainedthatshehadnotlostherway，butthatshewastryingtofindaconvenientdrynestingplace。
　　"Ah!isthatso？Indeed!"saidthegentlemanwithsandywhiskers，lookingcuriouslyatJemima。Hefoldedupthenewspaperandputitinhiscoattailpocket。
　　Jemimacomplainedofthesuperfluoushen。
　　"Indeed!Howinteresting!IwishI
　　couldmeetwiththatfowl。Iwouldteachittominditsownbusiness!
　　"Butastoanest——thereisnodifficulty：Ihaveasackfuloffeathersinmywoodshed。No，mydearmadam，youwillbeinnobody’sway。
　　Youmaysitthereaslongasyoulike，"
　　saidthebushylong—tailedgentleman。
　　Heledthewaytoaveryretired，dismal—lookinghouseamongstthefoxgloves。
　　Itwasbuiltoffaggotsandturf，andthereweretwobrokenpails，oneontopofanother，bywayofachimney。
　　"Thisismysummerresidence；youwouldnotfindmyearth——mywinterhouse——soconvenient，"saidthehospitablegentleman。
　　Therewasatumbledownshedatthebackofthehouse，madeofoldsoapboxes。ThegentlemanopenedthedoorandshowedJemimain。
　　Theshedwasalmostquitefulloffeathers——itwasalmostsuffocating；
　　butitwascomfortableandverysoft。
　　JemimaPuddle—duckwasrathersurprisedtofindsuchavastquantityoffeathers。Butitwasverycomfortable；andshemadeanestwithoutanytroubleatall。
　　Whenshecameout，thesandy—
　　whiskeredgentlemanwassittingonalogreadingthenewspaper——atleasthehaditspreadout，buthewaslookingoverthetopofit。
　　HewassopolitethatheseemedalmostsorrytoletJemimagohomeforthenight。Hepromisedtotakegreatcareofhernestuntilshecamebackagainthenextday。
　　Hesaidhelovedeggsandducklings；heshouldbeproudtoseeafinenestfulinhiswoodshed。
　　JemimaPuddle—duckcameeveryafternoon；shelaidnineeggsinthenest。Theyweregreenywhiteandverylarge。Thefoxygentlemanadmiredthemimmensely。HeusedtoturnthemoverandcountthemwhenJemimawasnotthere。
　　AtlastJemimatoldhimthatsheintendedtobegintositnextday——"andIwillbringabagofcornwithme，sothatIneedneverleavemynestuntiltheeggsarehatched。Theymightcatchcold，"saidtheconscientiousJemima。
　　"Madam，Ibegyounottotroubleyourselfwithabag；Iwillprovideoats。Butbeforeyoucommenceyourtedioussitting，Iintendtogiveyouatreat。Letushaveadinnerpartyalltoourselves!
　　"MayIaskyoutobringupsomeherbsfromthefarmgardentomakeasavoryomelet？Sageandthyme，andmintandtwoonions，andsomeparsley。Iwillprovidelardforthestuff——lardfortheomelet，"saidthehospitablegentlemanwithsandywhiskers。
　　JemimaPuddle—duckwasasimpleton：noteventhementionofsageandonionsmadehersuspicious。
　　Shewentroundthefarmgarden，nibblingoffsnippetsofallthedifferentsortsofherbsthatareusedforstuffingroastduck。
　　Andshewaddledintothekitchenandgottwoonionsoutofabasket。
　　ThecolliedogKepmethercomingout，"Whatareyoudoingwiththoseonions？Wheredoyougoeveryafternoonbyyourself，JemimaPuddle—duck？"
　　Jemimawasratherinaweofthecollie；shetoldhimthewholestory。
　　Thecollielistened，withhiswiseheadononeside；hegrinnedwhenshedescribedthepolitegentlemanwithsandywhiskers。
　　Heaskedseveralquestionsaboutthewoodandabouttheexactpositionofthehouseandshed。
　　Thenhewentout，andtrotteddownthevillage。Hewenttolookfortwofoxhoundpuppieswhowereoutatwalkwiththebutcher。
　　JemimaPuddle—duckwentupthecartroadforthelasttime，onasunnyafternoon。Shewasratherburdenedwithbunchesofherbsandtwoonionsinabag。
　　Sheflewoverthewood，andalightedoppositethehouseofthebushylong—tailedgentleman。
　　Hewassittingonalog；hesniffedtheairandkeptglancinguneasilyroundthewood。WhenJemimaalightedhequitejumped。
　　"Comeintothehouseassoonasyouhavelookedatyoureggs。Givemetheherbsfortheomelet。Besharp!"
　　Hewasratherabrupt。JemimaPuddle—duckhadneverheardhimspeaklikethat。
　　Shefeltsurprisedanduncomfortable。
　　Whileshewasinsidesheheardpatteringfeetroundthebackoftheshed。Someonewithablacknosesniffedatthebottomofthedoor，andthemlockedit。
　　Jemimabecamemuchalarmed。
　　Amomentafterwardthereweremostawfulnoises——barking，baying，growlsandhowls，squealingandgroans。
　　Andnothingmorewaseverseenofthatfoxy—whiskeredgentleman。
　　PresentlyKepopenedthedooroftheshedandletoutJemimaPuddle—
　　duck。
　　Unfortunatelythepuppiesrushedinandgobbledupalltheeggsbeforehecouldstopthem。
　　Hehadabiteonhisear，andboththepuppieswerelimping。
　　JemimaPuddle—duckwasescortedhomeintearsonaccountofthoseeggs。
　　ShelaidsomemoreinJune，andshewaspermittedtokeepthemherself：
　　butonlyfourofthemhatched。
　　JemimaPuddle—ducksaidthatitwasbecauseofhernerves；butshehadalwaysbeenabadsitter。
　　THE
　　ROLY—POLYPUDDING
　　[InRemembranceof"Sammy，"
　　theIntelligentPink—EyedRepresentativeofaPersecuted（ButIrrepressible）Race。
　　AnAffectionateLittleFriend，andMostAccomplishedThief!]
　　Onceuponatimetherewasanoldcat，calledMrs。TabithaTwitchit，whowasananxiousparent。Sheusedtoloseherkittenscontinually，andwhenevertheywerelosttheywerealwaysinmischief!
　　Onbakingdayshedeterminedtoshutthemupinacupboard。
　　ShecaughtMoppetandMittens，butshecouldnotfindTom。
　　Mrs。Tabithawentupanddownalloverthehouse，mewingforTomKitten。Shelookedinthepantryunderthestaircase，andshesearchedthebestsparebedroomthatwasallcoveredupwithdustsheets。Shewentrightupstairsandlookedintotheattics，butshecouldnotfindhimanywhere。
　　Itwasanold，oldhouse，fullofcupboardsandpassages。Someofthewallswerefourfeetthick，andthereusedtobequeernoisesinsidethem，asiftheremightbealittlesecretstaircase。Certainlytherewereoddlittlejaggeddoorwaysinthewainscot，andthingsdisappearedatnight——
　　especiallycheeseandbacon。
　　Mrs。Tabithabecamemoreandmoredistractedandmeweddreadfully。
　　Whiletheirmotherwassearchingthehouse，MoppetandMittenshadgotintomischief。
　　Thecupboarddoorwasnotlocked，sotheypusheditopenandcameout。
　　Theywentstraighttothedoughwhichwassettoriseinapanbeforethefire。
　　Theypatteditwiththeirlittlesoftpaws——"Shallwemakedearlittlemuffins？"saidMittenstoMoppet。
　　Butjustatthatmomentsomebodyknockedatthefrontdoor，andMoppetjumpedintotheflourbarrelinafright。
　　Mittensranawaytothedairyandhidinanemptyjaronthestoneshelfwherethemilkpansstand。
　　Thevisitorwasaneighbor，Mrs。
　　Ribby；shehadcalledtoborrowsomeyeast。
　　Mr。Tabithacamedownstairsmewingdreadfully——"Comein，CousinRibby，comein，andsityedown!I’minsadtrouble，CousinRibby，"saidTabitha，sheddingtears。
　　"I’velostmydearsonThomas；I’mafraidtheratshavegothim。"Shewipedhereyeswithherapron。
　　"He’sabadkitten，CousinTabitha；
　　hemadeacat’scradleofmybestbonnetlasttimeIcametotea。Wherehaveyoulookedforhim？"
　　"Alloverthehouse!Theratsaretoomanyforme。Whatathingitistohaveanunrulyfamily!"saidMrs。
　　TabithaTwitchit。
　　"I’mnotafraidofrats；Iwillhelpyoutofindhim；andwhiphim，too!
　　Whatisallthatsootinthefender？"
　　"Thechimneywantssweeping——
　　Oh，dearme，CousinRibby——nowMoppetandMittensaregone!
　　"Theyhavebothgotoutofthecupboard!"
　　RibbyandTabithasettoworktosearchthehousethoroughlyagain。
　　TheypokedunderthebedswithRibby’sumbrellaandtheyrummagedincupboards。Theyevenfetchedacandleandlookedinsideaclotheschestinoneoftheattics。Theycouldnotfindanything，butoncetheyheardadoorbangandsomebodyscuttereddownstairs。
　　"Yes，itisinfestedwithrats，"saidTabithatearfully。"Icaughtsevenyoungonesoutofoneholeinthebackkitchen，andwehadthemfordinnerlastSaturday。AndonceIsawtheoldfatherrat——anenormousoldrat——
　　CousinRibby。Iwasjustgoingtojumpuponhim，whenheshowedhisyellowteethatmeandwhiskeddownthehole。
　　"Theratsgetuponmynerves，CousinRibby，"saidTabitha。
　　RibbyandTabithasearchedandsearched。Theybothheardacuriousroly—polynoiseundertheatticfloor。
　　Buttherewasnothingtobeseen。
　　Theyreturnedtothekitchen。
　　"Here’soneofyourkittensatleast，"
　　saidRibby，draggingMoppetoutoftheflourbarrel。
　　Theyshooktheflouroffherandsetherdownonthekitchenfloor。Sheseemedtobeinaterriblefright。
　　"Oh!Mother，Mother，"saidMoppet，"there’sbeenanoldwomanratinthekitchen，andshe’sstolensomeofthedough!"
　　Thetwocatsrantolookatthedoughpan。Sureenoughthereweremarksoflittlescratchingfingers，andalumpofdoughwasgone!
　　"Whichwaydidshego，Moppet？"
　　ButMoppethadbeentoomuchfrightenedtopeepoutofthebarrelagain。
　　RibbyandTabithatookherwiththemtokeephersafelyinsight，whiletheywentonwiththeirsearch。
　　Theywentintothedairy。
　　ThefirstthingtheyfoundwasMittens，hidinginanemptyjar。
　　Theytippedoverthejar，andshescrambledout。
　　"Oh，Mother，Mother!"saidMittens——
　　"Oh!Mother，Mother，therehasbeenanoldmanratinthedairy——adreadful’normousbigrat，Mother；
　　andhe’sstolenapatofbutterandtherollingpin。"
　　RibbyandTabithalookedatoneanother。
　　"Arollingpinandbutter!Oh，mypoorsonThomas!"exclaimedTabitha，wringingherpaws。
　　"Arollingpin？"saidRibby。"Didwenotheararoly—polynoiseintheatticwhenwewerelookingintothatchest？"
　　RibbyandTabitharushedupstairsagain。Sureenoughtheroly—polynoisewasstillgoingonquitedistinctlyundertheatticfloor。
　　"Thisisserious，CousinTabitha，"
　　saidRibby。"WemustsendforJohnJoineratonce，withasaw。"
　　Now，thisiswhathadbeenhappeningtoTomKitten，anditshowshowveryunwiseitistogoupachimneyinaveryoldhouse，whereapersondoesnotknowhisway，andwherethereareenormousrats。
　　TomKittendidnotwanttobeshutupinacupboard。Whenhesawthathismotherwasgoingtobake，hedeterminedtohide。
　　Helookedaboutforaniceconvenientplace，andhefixeduponthechimney。
　　Thefirehadonlyjustbeenlighted，anditwasnothot；buttherewasawhitechokysmokefromthegreensticks。TomKittengotuponthefenderandlookedup。Itwasabigold—
　　fashionedfireplace。
　　Thechimneyitselfwaswideenoughinsideforamantostandupandwalkabout。SotherewasplentyofroomforalittleTomCat。
　　Hejumpedrightupintothefireplace，balancinghimselfupontheironbarwherethekettlehangs。
　　TomKittentookanotherbigjumpoffthebarandlandedonaledgehighupinsidethechimney，knockingdownsomesootintothefender。
　　TomKittencoughedandchokedwiththesmoke；hecouldhearthesticksbeginningtocrackleandburninthefireplacedownbelow。Hemadeuphismindtoclimbrighttothetop，andgetoutontheslates，andtrytocatchsparrows。
　　"Icannotgoback。IfIslippedI
　　mightfallinthefireandsingemybeautifultailandmylittlebluejacket。"
　　Thechimneywasaverybigold—
　　fashionedone。Itwasbuiltinthedayswhenpeopleburntlogsofwooduponthehearth。
　　Thechimneystackstoodupabovetherooflikealittlestonetower，andthedaylightshonedownfromthetop，undertheslantingslatesthatkeptouttherain。
　　TomKittenwasgettingveryfrightened!Heclimbedup，andup，andup。
　　Thenhewadedsidewaysthroughinchesofsoot。Hewaslikealittlesweephimself。
　　Itwasmostconfusinginthedark。
　　Oneflueseemedtoleadintoanother。
　　Therewaslesssmoke，butTomKittenfeltquitelost。
　　Hescrambledupandup；butbeforehereachedthechimneytophecametoaplacewheresomebodyhadloosenedastoneinthewall。Thereweresomemuttonboneslyingabout。
　　"Thisseemsfunny，"saidTomKitten。"Whohasbeengnawingbonesuphereinthechimney？IwishIhadnevercome!Andwhatafunnysmell？
　　Itissomethinglikemouse，onlydreadfullystrong。Itmakesmesneeze，"saidTomKitten。
　　Hesqueezedthroughtheholeinthewallanddraggedhimselfalongamostuncomfortablytightpassagewheretherewasscarcelyanylight。
　　Hegropedhiswaycarefullyforseveralyards；hewasatthebackoftheskirtingboardintheattic，wherethereisalittlemark*inthepicture。
　　Allatoncehefellheadoverheelsinthedark，downahole，andlandedonaheapofverydirtyrags。
　　WhenTomKittenpickedhimselfupandlookedabouthim，hefoundhimselfinaplacethathehadneverseenbefore，althoughhehadlivedallhislifeinthehouse。Itwasaverysmallstuffyfustyroom，withboards，andrafters，andcobwebs，andlathandplaster。
　　Oppositetohim——asfarawayashecouldsit——wasanenormousrat。
　　"Whatdoyoumeanbytumblingintomybedallcoveredwithsmuts？"
　　saidtherat，chatteringhisteeth。
　　"Please，sir，thechimneywantssweeping，"saidpoorTomKitten。
　　"AnnaMaria!AnnaMaria!"
　　squeakedtherat。Therewasapatteringnoiseandanoldwomanratpokedherheadroundarafter。
　　AllinaminutesherusheduponTomKitten，andbeforeheknewwhatwashappening……hiscoatwaspulledoff，andhewasrolledupinabundle，andtiedwithstringinveryhardknots。
　　AnnaMariadidthetying。Theoldratwatchedherandtooksnuff。Whenshehadfinished，theybothsatstaringathimwiththeirmouthsopen。
　　"AnnaMaria，"saidtheoldmanrat（whosenamewasSamuelWhiskers），"AnnaMaria，makemeakittendumplingroly—polypuddingformydinner。"
　　"Itrequiresdoughandapatofbutterandarollingpin，"saidAnnaMaria，consideringTomKittenwithherheadononeside。
　　"No，"saidSamuelWhiskers，"makeitproperly，AnnaMaria，withbreadcrumbs。"
　　"Nonsense!Butteranddough，"
　　repliedAnnaMaria。
　　Thetworatsconsultedtogetherforafewminutesandthenwentaway。
　　SamuelWhiskersgotthroughaholeinthewainscotandwentboldlydownthefrontstaircasetothedairytogetthebutter。Hedidnotmeetanybody。
　　Hemadeasecondjourneyfortherollingpin。Hepusheditinfrontofhimwithhispaws，likeabrewer’smantrundlingabarrel。
　　HecouldhearRibbyandTabithatalking，buttheyweretoobusylightingthecandletolookintothechest。
　　Theydidnotseehim。
　　AnnaMariawentdownbywayofskirtingboardandawindowshuttertothekitchentostealthedough。
　　Sheborrowedasmallsaucerandscoopedupthedoughwithherpaws。
　　ShedidnotobserveMoppet。
　　WhileTomKittenwasleftaloneundertheflooroftheattic，hewriggledaboutandtriedtomewforhelp。
　　Buthismouthwasfullofsootandcobwebs，andhewastiedupinsuchverytightknots，hecouldnotmakeanybodyhearhim。
　　Exceptaspiderwhocameoutofacrackintheceilingandexaminedtheknotscritically，fromasafedistance。
　　Itwasajudgeofknotsbecauseithadahabitoftyingupunfortunatebluebottles。Itdidnotoffertoassisthim。
　　TomKittenwriggledandsquirmeduntilhewasquiteexhausted。
　　Presentlytheratscamebackandsettoworktomakehimintoadumpling。Firsttheysmearedhimwithbutter，andthentheyrolledhiminthedough。
　　"Willnotthestringbeveryindigestible，AnnaMaria？"inquiredSamuelWhiskers。
　　AnnaMariasaidshethoughtthatitwasofnoconsequence；butshewishedthatTomKittenwouldholdhisheadstill，asitdisarrangedthepastry。Shelaidholdofhisears。
　　TomKittenbitandspit，andmewedandwriggled；andtherollingpinwentroly—poly，roly；roly—poly，roly。Theratseachheldanend。
　　"Histailisstickingout!Youdidnotfetchenoughdough，AnnaMaria。"
　　"IfetchedasmuchasIcouldcarry，"repliedAnnaMaria。
　　"Idonotthink"——saidSamuelWhiskers，pausingtotakealookatTomKitten——"IdoNOTthinkitwillbeagoodpudding。Itsmellssooty。"
　　AnnaMariawasabouttoarguethepointwhenallatoncetherebegantobeothersoundsupabove——theraspingnoiseofasaw，andthenoiseofalittledog，scratchingandyelping!
　　Theratsdroppedtherollingpinandlistenedattentively。
　　"Wearediscoveredandinterrupted，AnnaMaria；letuscollectourproperty——andotherpeople’s——anddepartatonce。
　　"Ifearthatweshallbeobligedtoleavethispudding。
　　"ButIampersuadedthattheknotswouldhaveprovedindigestible，whateveryoumayurgetothecontrary。"
　　"Comeawayatonceandhelpmetotieupsomemuttonbonesinacounterpane，"saidAnnaMaria。"I
　　havegothalfasmokedhamhiddeninthechimney。"
　　SoithappenedthatbythetimeJohnJoinerhadgottheplankup——
　　therewasnobodyhereunderthefloorexcepttherollingpinandTomKitteninaverydirtydumpling!
　　Buttherewasastrongsmellofrats；andJohnJoinerspenttherestofthemorningsniffingandwhining，andwagginghistail，andgoingroundandroundwithhisheadintheholelikeagimlet。
　　Thenhenailedtheplankdownagainandputhistoolsinhisbag，andcamedownstairs。
　　Thecatfamilyhadquiterecovered。
　　Theyinvitedhimtostaytodinner。
　　ThedumplinghadbeenpeeledoffTomKittenandmadeseparatelyintoabagpudding，withcurrantsinittohidethesmuts。
　　TheyhadbeenobligedtoputTomKittenintoahotbathtogetthebutteroff。
　　JohnJoinersmeltthepudding；butheregrettedthathehadnottimetostaytodinner，becausehehadjustfinishedmakingawheelbarrowforMissPotter，andshehadorderedtwohencoops。
　　AndwhenIwasgoingtothepostlateintheafternoon——Ilookedupthelandfromthecorner，andIsawMr。
　　SamuelWhiskersandhiswifeontherun，withbigbundlesonalittlewheelbarrow，whichlookedverymuchlikemine。
　　TheywerejustturninginatthegatetothebarnofFarmerPotatoes。
　　SamuelWhiskerswaspuffingandoutofbreath。AnnaMariawasstillarguinginshrilltones。
　　Sheseemedtoknowherway，andsheseemedtohaveaquantityofluggage。
　　Iamsure_I_nevergaveherleavetoborrowmywheelbarrow!
　　Theywentintothebarnandhauledtheirparcelswithabitofstringtothetopofthehaymow。
　　Afterthat，therewerenomoreratsforalongtimeatTabithaTwitchit’s。
　　AsforFarmerPotatoes，hehasbeendrivennearlydistracted。Therearerats，andrats，andratsinhisbarn!
　　Theyeatupthechickenfood，andstealtheoatsandbran，andmakeholesinthemealbags。
　　AndtheyarealldescendedfromMr。andMrs。SamuelWhiskers——
　　childrenandgrandchildrenandgreat—great—grandchildren。
　　Thereisnoendtothem!
　　MoppetandMittenshavegrownupintoverygoodrat—catchers。
　　Theygooutrat—catchinginthevillage，andtheyfindplentyofemployment。Theychargesomuchadozenandearntheirlivingverycomfortably。
　　Theyhanguptherats’tailsinarowonthebarndoor，toshowhowmanytheyhavecaught——dozensanddozensofthem。
　　ButTomKittenhasalwaysbeenafraidofarat；heneverdurstfaceanythingthatisbiggerthan——
　　AMouse。
　　THETALEOF
　　THEFLOPSYBUNNIES
　　[ForAllLittleFriendsofMr。McGregorandPeterandBenjamin]
　　Itissaidthattheeffectofeatingtoomuchlettuceis"soporific。"
　　Ihaveneverfeltsleepyaftereatinglettuces；butthenIamnotarabbit。
　　TheycertainlyhadaverysoporificeffectupontheFlopsyBunnies!
　　WhenBenjaminBunnygrewup，hemarriedhisCousinFlopsy。
　　Theyhadalargefamily，andtheywereveryimprovidentandcheerful。
　　Idonotremembertheseparatenamesoftheirchildren；theyweregenerallycalledthe"FlopsyBunnies。"
　　Astherewasnotalwaysquiteenoughtoeat，——BenjaminusedtoborrowcabbagesfromFlopsy’sbrother，PeterRabbit，whokeptanurserygarden。
　　SometimesPeterRabbithadnocabbagestospare。
　　Whenthishappened，theFlopsyBunnieswentacrossthefieldtoarubbishheap，intheditchoutsideMr。McGregor’sgarden。
　　Mr。McGregor’srubbishheapwasamixture。Therewerejampotsandpaperbags，andmountainsofchoppedgrassfromthemowingmachine（whichalwaystastedoily），andsomerottenvegetablemarrowsandanoldbootortwo。Oneday——ohjoy!——therewereaquantityofovergrownlettuces，whichhad"shot"intoflower。
　　TheFlopsyBunniessimplystuffedlettuces。Bydegrees，oneafteranother，theywereovercomewithslumber，andlaydowninthemowngrass。
　　Benjaminwasnotsomuchovercomeashischildren。Beforegoingtosleephewassufficientlywideawaketoputapaperbagoverhisheadtokeepofftheflies。
　　ThelittleFlopsyBunniessleptdelightfullyinthewarmsun。
　　Fromthelawnbeyondthegardencamethedistantclackettysoundofthemowingmachine。Theblue—
　　bottlesbuzzedaboutthewall，andalittleoldmousepickedovertherubbishamongthejampots。
　　（Icantellyouhername，shewascalledThomasinaTittle—
　　mouse，awoodmousewithalongtail。）
　　Sherustledacrossthepaperbag，andawakenedBenjaminBunny。
　　Themouseapologizedprofusely，andsaidthatsheknewPeterRabbit。
　　WhilesheandBenjaminweretalking，closeunderthewall，theyheardaheavytreadabovetheirheads；andsuddenlyMr。McGregoremptiedoutasackfuloflawnmowingsrightuponthetopofthesleepingFlopsyBunnies!
　　Benjaminshrankdownunderhispaperbag。Themousehidinajampot。
　　Thelittlerabbitssmiledsweetlyintheirsleepundertheshowerofgrass；theydidnotawakebecausethelettuceshadbeensosoporific。
　　TheydreamtthattheirmotherFlopsywastuckingthemupinahaybed。
　　Mr。McGregorlookeddownafteremptyinghissack。Hesawsomefunnylittlebrowntipsofearsstickingupthroughthelawnmowings。Hestaredatthemforsometime。
　　Presentlyaflysettledononeofthemanditmoved。
　　Mr。McGregorclimbeddownontotherubbishheap——
　　"One，two，three，four!five!sixleetlerabbits!"saidheashedroppedthemintohissack。TheFlopsyBunniesdreamtthattheirmotherwasturningthemoverinbed。Theystirredalittleintheirsleep，butstilltheydidnotwakeup。
　　Mr。McGregortiedupthesackandleftitonthewall。
　　Hewenttoputawaythemowingmachine。
　　Whilehewasgone，Mrs。FlopsyBunny（whohadremainedathome）cameacrossthefield。
　　Shelookedsuspiciouslyatthesackandwonderedwhereeverybodywas？
　　Thenthemousecameoutofherjampot，andBenjamintookthepaperbagoffhishead，andtheytoldthedolefultale。
　　BenjaminandFlopsywereindespair，theycouldnotundothestring。
　　ButMrs。Tittlemousewasaresourcefulperson。Shenibbledaholeinthebottomcornerofthesack。
　　Thelittlerabbitswerepulledoutandpinchedtowakethem。
　　Theirparentsstuffedtheemptysackwiththreerottenvegetablemarrows，anoldblackingbrushandtwodecayedturnips。
　　ThentheyallhidunderabushandwatchedforMr。McGregor。
　　Mr。McGregorcamebackandpickedupthesack，andcarrieditoff。
　　Hecarriedithangingdown，asifitwereratherheavy。
　　TheFlopsyBunniesfollowedatasafedistance。
　　Theywatchedhimgointohishouse。
　　Andthentheycreptuptothewindowtolisten。
　　Mr。McGregorthrewdownthesackonthestonefloorinawaythatwouldhavebeenextremelypainfultotheFlopsyBunnies，iftheyhadhappenedtohavebeeninsideit。
　　Theycouldhearhimdraghischairontheflags，andchuckle——
　　"One，two，three，four，five，sixleetlerabbits!"saidMr。McGregor。
　　"Eh？What’sthat？Whathavetheybeenspoilingnow？"enquiredMrs。McGregor。
　　"One，two，three，four，five，sixleetlefatrabbits!"repeatedMr。
　　McGregor，countingonhisfingers——"one，two，three——"
　　"Don’tyoubesilly：whatdoyoumean，yousillyoldman？"
　　"Inthesack!one，two，three，four，five，six!"repliedMr。McGregor。
　　（TheyoungestFlopsyBunnygotuponthewindowsill。）
　　Mrs。McGregortookholdofthesackandfeltit。Shesaidshecouldfeelsix，buttheymustbeOLDrabbits，becausetheyweresohardandalldifferentshapes。
　　"Notfittoeat；buttheskinswilldofinetolinemyoldcloak。"
　　"Lineyouroldcloak？"shoutedMr。McGregor——"Ishallsellthemandbuymyselfbaccy!"
　　"Rabbittobacco!Ishallskinthemandcutofftheirheads。"
　　Mrs。McGregoruntiedthesackandputherhandinside。
　　Whenshefeltthevegetablesshebecameveryveryangry。
　　ShesaidthatMr。McGregorhad"doneitapurpose。"
　　AndMr。McGregorwasveryangrytoo。Oneoftherottenmarrowscameflyingthroughthekitchenwindow，andhittheyoungestFlopsyBunny。
　　Itwasratherhurt。
　　ThenBenjaminandFlopsythoughtthatitwastimetogohome。
　　SoMr。McGregordidnotgethistobacco，andMrs。McGregordidnotgetherrabbitskins。
　　ButnextChristmasThomasinaTittlemousegotapresentofenoughrabbitwooltomakeherselfacloakandahood，andahandsomemuffandapairofwarmmittens。
　　THETALEOF
　　MRS。TITTLEMOUSE
　　[Nellie’sLittleBook]
　　Onceuponatimetherewasawoodmouse，andhernamewasMrs。Tittlemouse。
　　Shelivedinabankunderahedge。
　　Suchafunnyhouse!Therewereyardsandyardsofsandypassages，leadingtostore—
　　roomsandnutcellarsandseedcellars，allamongsttherootsofthehedge。
　　Therewasakitchen，aparlor，apantry，andalarder。
　　Also，therewasMrs。Tittle—
　　mouse’sbedroom，whereshesleptinalittleboxbed!
　　Mrs。Tittlemousewasamostterriblytidyparticularlittlemouse，alwayssweepinganddustingthesoftsandyfloors。
　　Sometimesabeetlelostitswayinthepassages。
　　"Shuh!shuh!littledirtyfeet!"
　　saidMrs。Tittlemouse，clatteringherdustpan。
　　Andonedayalittleoldwomanranupanddowninaredspottycloak。
　　"Yourhouseisonfire，MotherLadybird!Flyawayhometoyourchildren!"
　　Anotherday，abigfatspidercameintoshelterfromtherain。
　　"Begpardon，isthisnotMissMuffet’s？"
　　"Goaway，youboldbadspider!
　　Leavingendsofcobweballovermynicecleanhouse!"
　　Shebundledthespideroutatawindow。
　　Helethimselfdownthehedgewithalongthinbitofstring。
　　Mrs。Tittlemousewentonherwaytoadistantstoreroom，tofetchcherrystonesandthistle—
　　downseedfordinner。
　　Allalongthepassageshesniffed，andlookedatthefloor。
　　"Ismellasmellofhoney；isitthecowslipsoutside，inthehedge？
　　IamsureIcanseethemarksoflittledirtyfeet。"
　　Suddenlyroundacorner，shemetBabbittyBumble——"Zizz，Bizz，Bizzz!"saidthebumblebee。
　　Mrs。Tittlemouselookedatherseverely。Shewishedthatshehadabroom。
　　"Good—day，BabbittyBumble；I
　　shouldbegladtobuysomebees—
　　wax。Butwhatareyoudoingdownhere？Whydoyoualwayscomeinatawindow，andsay，Zizz，Bizz，Bizzz？"Mrs。Tittle—
　　mousebegantogetcross。
　　"Zizz，Wizz，Wizzz!"repliedBabbittyBumbleinapeevishsqueak。Shesidleddownapassage，anddisappearedintoastoreroomwhichhadbeenusedforacorns。
　　Mrs。TittlemousehadeatentheacornsbeforeChristmas；thestoreroomoughttohavebeenempty。
　　Butitwasfullofuntidydrymoss。
　　Mrs。Tittlemousebegantopulloutthemoss。Threeorfourotherbeesputtheirheadsout，andbuzzedfiercely。
　　"Iamnotinthehabitoflettinglodgings；thisisanintrusion!"
　　saidMrs。Tittlemouse。
　　"Iwillhavethemturnedout——""Buzz!Buzz!Buzzz!"——"I
　　wonderwhowouldhelpme？"
　　"Bizz，Wizz，Wizzz!"
　　——"IwillnothaveMr。Jackson；
　　heneverwipeshisfeet。"
　　Mrs。Tittlemousedecidedtoleavethebeestillafterdinner。
　　Whenshegotbacktotheparlor，sheheardsomeonecoughinginafatvoice；andtheresatMr。
　　Jacksonhimself。
　　Hewassittingalloverasmallrockingchair，twiddlinghisthumbsandsmiling，withhisfeetonthefender。
　　Helivedinadrainbelowthehedge，inaverydirtywetditch。
　　"Howdoyoudo，Mr。Jackson？
　　Dearyme，youhavegotverywet!"
　　"Thankyou，thankyou，thankyou，Mrs。Tittlemouse!
　　I’llsitawhileanddrymyself，"
　　saidMr。Jackson。
　　Hesatandsmiled，andthewaterdrippedoffhiscoattails。Mrs。Tittlemousewentroundwithamop。
　　Hesatsuchawhilethathehadtobeaskedifhewouldtakesomedinner？
　　Firstsheofferedhimcherry—
　　stones。"Thankyou，thankyou，Mrs。Tittlemouse!Noteeth，noteeth，noteeth!"saidMr。Jackson。
　　Heopenedhismouthmostunnecessarilywide；hecertainlyhadnotatoothinhishead。
　　Thensheofferedhimthistle—
　　downseed——"Tiddly，widdly，widdly!Pouff，pouff，puff。"saidMr。Jackson。Heblewthethistle—
　　downallovertheroom。
　　"Thankyou，thankyou，thankyou，Mrs。Tittlemouse!NowwhatIreally——REALLYshouldlike——
　　wouldbealittledishofhoney!"
　　"IamafraidIhavenotgotany，Mr。Jackson!"saidMrs。
　　Tittlemouse。
　　"Tiddly，widdly，widdly，Mrs。Tittlemouse!"saidthesmilingMr。Jackson，"IcanSMELLit；
　　thatiswhyIcametocall。"
　　Mr。Jacksonroseponderouslyfromthetable，andbegantolookintothecupboards。
　　Mrs。Tittlemousefollowedhimwithadishcloth，towipehislargewetfootmarksofftheparlorfloor。
　　Whenhehadconvincedhimselfthattherewasnohoneyinthecupboards，hebegantowalkdownthepassage。
　　"Indeed，indeed，youwillstickfast，Mr。Jackson!"
　　"Tiddly，widdly，widdly，Mrs。
　　Tittlemouse!"
　　Firsthesqueezedintothepantry。
　　"Tiddly，widdly，widdly？Nohoney？Nohoney，Mrs。Tittlemouse？"
　　Therewerethreecreepy—crawlypeoplehidingintheplaterack。
　　Twoofthemgotaway；butthelittlestonehecaught。
　　Thenhesqueezedintothelarder。
　　MissButterflywastastingthesugar；butsheflewawayoutofthewindow。
　　"Tiddly，widdly，widdly，Mrs。
　　Tittlemouse；youseemtohaveplentyofvisitors!"
　　"Andwithoutanyinvitation!"
　　saidMrs。ThomasinaTittlemouse。
　　Theywentalongthesandypassage——"Tiddly，widdly——""Buzz!
　　Wizz!Wizz!"
　　HemetBabbittyroundacorner，andsnappedherup，andputherdownagain。
　　"Idonotlikebumblebees。Theyarealloverbristles，"saidMr。
　　Jackson，wipinghismouthwithhiscoatsleeve。
　　"Getout，younastyoldtoad!"shriekedBabbittyBumble。
　　"Ishallgodistracted!"scoldedMrs。Tittlemouse。
　　SheshutherselfupinthenutcellarwhileMr。Jacksonpulledoutthebees—nest。Heseemedtohavenoobjectiontostings。
　　WhenMrs。Tittlemouseventuredtocomeout——everybodyhadgoneaway。
　　Buttheuntidinesswassomethingdreadful——"NeverdidIseesuchamess——smearsofhoney；
　　andmoss，andthistledown——andmarksofbigandlittledirtyfeet——
　　allovermynicecleanhouse!"
　　Shegatheredupthemossandtheremainsofthebees—
　　wax。
　　Thenshewentoutandfetchedsometwigs，topartlycloseupthefrontdoor。
　　"IwillmakeittoosmallforMr。Jackson!"
　　Shefetchedsoftsoap，andflannel，andanewscrubbingbrushfromthestoreroom。
　　Butshewastootiredtodoanymore。Firstshefellasleepinherchair，andthenshewenttobed。
　　"Williteverbetidyagain？"
　　saidpoorMrs。Tittlemouse。
　　Nextmorningshegotupveryearlyandbeganaspringcleaningwhichlastedafort—
　　night。
　　Sheswept，andscrubbed，anddusted；andsherubbedupthefurniturewithbees—
　　wax，andpolishedherlittletinspoons。
　　Whenitwasallbeautifullyneatandclean，shegaveapartytofiveotherlittlemice，withoutMr。Jackson。
　　Hesmeltthepartyandcameupthebank，buthecouldnotsqueezeinatthedoor。
　　Sotheyhandedhimoutacorncupfulsofhoneydewthroughthewindow，andhewasnotatalloffended。
　　Hesatoutsideinthesun，andsaid——"Tiddly，widdly，widdly!Yourverygoodhealth，Mrs。Tittlemouse!"
　　THETALEOF
　　TIMMYTIPTOES
　　[ForManyUnknownLittleFriends，IncludingMonica]
　　Onceuponatimetherewasalittlefatcomfortablegreysquirrel，calledTimmyTiptoes。Hehadanestthatchedwithleavesinthetopofatalltree；andhehadalittlesquirrelwifecalledGoody。
　　TimmyTiptoessatout，enjoyingthebreeze；hewhiskedhistailandchuckled——"LittlewifeGoody，thenutsareripe；wemustlayupastoreforwinterandspring。"
　　GoodyTiptoeswasbusypushingmossunderthethatch——"Thenestissosnug，weshallbesoundasleepallwinter。""Thenweshallwakeupallthethinner，whenthereisnothingtoeatinspring—
　　time，"repliedprudentTimothy。
　　WhenTimmyandGoodyTiptoescametothenutthicket，theyfoundothersquirrelsweretherealready。
　　Timmytookoffhisjacketandhungitonatwig；theyworkedawayquietlybythemselves。
　　Everydaytheymadeseveraljourneysandpickedquantitiesofnuts。Theycarriedthemawayinbags，andstoredtheminseveralhollowstumpsnearthetreewheretheyhadbuilttheirnest。
　　Whenthesestumpswerefull，theybegantoemptythebagsintoaholehighupatree，thathadbelongedtoawoodpecker；thenutsrattleddown——down——downinside。
　　"Howshallyouevergetthemoutagain？Itislikeamoneybox!"
　　saidGoody。
　　"Ishallbemuchthinnerbeforespringtime，mylove，"saidTimmyTiptoes，peepingintothehole。
　　Theydidcollectquantities——
　　becausetheydidnotlosethem!
　　Squirrelswhoburytheirnutsinthegroundlosemorethanhalf，becausetheycannotremembertheplace。
　　ThemostforgetfulsquirrelinthewoodwascalledSilvertail。Hebegantodig，andhecouldnotremember。Andthenhedugagainandfoundsomenutsthatdidnotbelongtohim；andtherewasafight。Andothersquirrelsbegantodig，——thewholewoodwasincommotion!
　　Unfortunately，justatthistimeaflockoflittlebirdsflewby，frombushtobush，searchingforgreencaterpillarsandspiders。Therewereseveralsortsoflittlebirds，twitteringdifferentsongs。
　　Thefirstonesang——"Who’sbindigging—upMYnuts？Who’s—been—
　　digging—upMYnuts？"
　　Andanothersang——"Littlebitabreadand—NO—cheese!Littlebit—a—
　　breadan’—NO—cheese!"
　　Thesquirrelsfollowedandlistened。
　　ThefirstlittlebirdflewintothebushwhereTimmyandGoodyTiptoeswerequietlytyinguptheirbags，anditsang——"Who’s—bindigging—upMYnuts？Who’sbeendigging—upMY—nuts？"
　　TimmyTiptoeswentonwithhisworkwithoutreplying；indeed，thelittlebirddidnotexpectananswer。Itwasonlysingingitsnaturalsong，anditmeantnothingatall。
　　Butwhentheothersquirrelsheardthatsong，theyrusheduponTimmyTiptoesandcuffedandscratchedhim，andupsethisbagofnuts。Theinnocentlittlebirdwhichhadcausedallthemischief，flewawayinafright!
　　Timmyrolledoverandover，andthenturnedtailandfledto—
　　wardshisnest，followedbyacrowdofsquirrelsshouting——
　　"Who’s—beendigging—upMY—nuts？"
　　Theycaughthimanddraggedhimuptheverysametree，wheretherewasthelittleroundhole，andtheypushedhimin。TheholewasmuchtoosmallforTimmyTiptoes’figure。Theysqueezedhimdreadfully，itwasawondertheydidnotbreakhisribs。"Wewillleavehimheretillheconfesses，"
　　saidSilvertailSquirrelandheshoutedintothehole——"Who’s—
　　been—digging—upMY—nuts？"
　　TimmyTiptoesmadenoreply；hehadtumbleddowninsidethetree，uponhalfapeckofnutsbelongingtohimself。Helayquitestunnedandstill。
　　GoodyTiptoespickedupthenutbagsandwenthome。ShemadeacupofteaforTimmy；buthedidn’tcomeanddidn’tcome。
　　GoodyTiptoespassedalonelyandunhappynight。Nextmorningsheventuredbacktothenutbushestolookforhim；buttheotherunkindsquirrelsdroveheraway。
　　Shewanderedalloverthewood，calling——
　　"TimmyTiptoes!TimmyTip—
　　toes!Oh，whereisTimmyTiptoes？"
　　InthemeantimeTimmyTiptoescametohissenses。Hefoundhimselftuckedupinalittlemossbed，verymuchinthedark，feelingsore；itseemedtobeunderground。Timmycoughedandgroaned，becausehisribshurtedhim。Therewasachirpynoise，andasmallstripedChipmunkappearedwithanightlight，andhopedhefeltbetter？
　　ItwasmostkindtoTimmyTiptoes；
　　itlenthimitsnightcap；andthehousewasfullofprovisions。
　　TheChipmunkexplainedthatithadrainednutsthroughthetopofthetree——"Besides，Ifoundafewburied!"ItlaughedandchuckledwhenitheardTimmy’sstory。
　　WhileTimmywasconfinedtobed，it’ticedhimtoeatquantities——"ButhowshallIevergetoutthroughthatholeunlessIthinmyself？Mywifewillbeanxious!"
　　"Justanothernut——ortwonuts；
　　letmecrackthemforyou，"saidtheChipmunk。TimmyTiptoesgrewfatterandfatter!
　　NowGoodyTiptoeshadsettoworkagainbyherself。Shedidnotputanymorenutsintothewoodpecker’shole，becauseshehadalwaysdoubtedhowtheycouldbegotoutagain。Shehidthemunderatreeroot；theyrattleddown，down，down。OncewhenGoodyemptiedanextrabigbagful，therewasadecidedsqueak；andnexttimeGoodybroughtanotherbagful，alittlestripedChipmunkscrambledoutinahurry。
　　"Itisgettingperfectlyfull—updownstairs；thesittingroomisfull，andtheyarerollingalongthepassage；andmyhusband，ChippyHackee，hasrunawayandleftme。
　　Whatistheexplanationoftheseshowersofnuts？"
　　"IamsureIbegyourpardon；I
　　didnotknowthatanybodylivedhere，"saidMrs。GoodyTiptoes；
　　"butwhereisChippyHackee？Myhusband，TimmyTiptoes，hasrunawaytoo。""IknowwhereChippyis；alittlebirdtoldme，"saidMrs。
　　ChippyHackee。
　　Sheledthewaytothewoodpecker’stree，andtheylistenedatthehole。
　　Downbelowtherewasanoiseofnutcrackers，andafatsquirrelvoiceandathinsquirrelvoiceweresingingtogether——
　　"MylittleoldmanandIfellout，Howshallwebringthismatterabout？
　　Bringitaboutaswellasyoucan，Andgetyougone，youlittleoldman!"
　　"Youcouldsqueezein，throughthatlittleroundhole，"saidGoodyTiptoes。"Yes，Icould，"saidtheChipmunk，"butmyhusband，ChippyHackee，bites!"
　　Downbelowtherewasanoiseofcrackingnutsandnibbling；andthenthefatsquirrelvoiceandthethinsquirrelvoicesang——
　　"ForthediddlumdayDaydiddledurndi!
　　Daydiddlediddledumday!"
　　ThenGoodypeepedinatthehole，andcalleddown——"TimmyTiptoes!Ohfie，TimmyTiptoes!"
　　AndTimmyreplied，"Isthatyou，GoodyTiptoes？Why，certainly!"
　　HecameupandkissedGoodythroughthehole；buthewassofatthathecouldnotgetout。
　　ChippyHackeewasnottoofat，buthedidnotwanttocome；hestayeddownbelowandchuckled。
　　Andsoitwentonforafort—
　　night；tillabigwindblewoffthetopofthetree，andopeneduptheholeandletintherain。
　　ThenTimmyTiptoescameout，andwenthomewithanumbrella。
　　ButChippyHackeecontinuedtocampoutforanotherweek，althoughitwasuncomfortable。