Atlastalargebearcamewalkingthroughthewood。
　　Perhapshealsowaslookingfornuts；heseemedtobesniffingaround。
　　ChippyHackeewenthomeinahurry!
　　AndwhenChippyHackeegothome，hefoundhehadcaughtacoldinhishead；andhewasmoreuncomfortablestill。
　　AndnowTimmyandGoodyTiptoeskeeptheirnutstorefastenedupwithalittlepadlock。
　　AndwheneverthatlittlebirdseestheChipmunks，hesings——"Who’s—been—digging—
　　upMY—nuts？Who’sbeendig—
　　ging—upMY—nuts？"Butnobodyeveranswers!
　　THETALEOF
　　MR。TOD
　　[ForWilliamFrancisofUlva——Someday!]
　　Ihavemademanybooksaboutwell—behavedpeople。Now，forachange，Iamgoingtomakeastoryabouttwodisagreeablepeople，calledTommyBrockandMr。Tod。
　　NobodycouldcallMr。Tod"nice。"Therabbitscouldnotbearhim；theycouldsmellhimhalfamileoff。Hewasofawanderinghabitandhehadfoxywhiskers；
　　theyneverknewwherehewouldbenext。
　　Onedayhewaslivinginastick—
　　houseinthecoppice[grove]，causingterrortothefamilyofoldMr。
　　BenjaminBouncer。Nextdayhemovedintoapollardwillownearthelake，frighteningthewildducksandthewaterrats。
　　InwinterandearlyspringhemightgenerallybefoundinanearthamongsttherocksatthetopofBullBanks，underOatmealCrag。
　　Hehadhalfadozenhouses，buthewasseldomathome。
　　ThehouseswerenotalwaysemptywhenMr。TodmovedOUT；
　　becausesometimesTommyBrockmovedIN；（withoutaskingleave）。
　　TommyBrockwasashortbristlyfatwaddlingpersonwithagrin；hegrinnedalloverhisface。Hewasnotniceinhishabits。Heatewaspnestsandfrogsandworms；andhewaddledaboutbymoonlight，diggingthingsup。
　　Hisclotheswereverydirty；andashesleptinthedaytime，heal—
　　wayswenttobedinhisboots。AndthebedwhichhewenttobedinwasgenerallyMr。Tod’s。
　　NowTommyBrockdidoccasionallyeatrabbitpie；butitwasonlyverylittleyoungonesoccasionally，whenotherfoodwasreallyscarce。
　　HewasfriendlywitholdMr。
　　Bouncer；theyagreedindislikingthewickedottersandMr。Tod；theyoftentalkedoverthatpainfulsubject。
　　OldMr。Bouncerwasstrickeninyears。Hesatinthespringsunshineoutsidetheburrow，inamuffler；
　　smokingapipeofrabbittobacco。
　　HelivedwithhissonBenjaminBunnyandhisdaughter—in—lawFlopsy，whohadayoungfamily。
　　OldMr。Bouncerwasinchargeofthefamilythatafternoon，becauseBenjaminandFlopsyhadgoneout。
　　Thelittlerabbitbabieswerejustoldenoughtoopentheirblueeyesandkick。Theylayinafluffybedofrabbitwoolandhay，inashallowburrow，separatefromthemainrabbithole。Totellthetruth——oldMr。Bouncerhadforgottenthem。
　　Hesatinthesun，andconversedcordiallywithTommyBrock，whowaspassingthroughthewoodwithasackandalittlespudwhichheusedfordigging，andsomemoletraps。Hecomplainedbitterlyaboutthescarcityofpheasants’
　　eggs，andaccusedMr。Todofpoachingthem。Andtheottershadclearedoffallthefrogswhilehewasasleepinwinter——"Ihavenothadagoodsquaremealforafort—
　　night，Iamlivingonpig—nuts。I
　　shallhavetoturnvegetarianandeatmyowntail!"saidTommyBrock。
　　Itwasnotmuchofajoke，butittickledoldMr。Bouncer；becauseTommyBrockwassofatandstumpyandgrinning。
　　SooldMr。Bouncerlaughed；andpressedTommyBrocktocomeinside，totasteasliceofseedcakeand"aglassofmydaughterFlopsy’scowslipwine。"TommyBrocksqueezedhimselfintotherabbitholewithalacrity。
　　ThenoldMr。Bouncersmokedanotherpipe，andgaveTommyBrockacabbageleafcigarwhichwassoverystrongthatitmadeTommyBrockgrinmorethanever；
　　andthesmokefilledtheburrow。
　　OldMr。Bouncercoughedandlaughed；andTommyBrockpuffedandgrinned。
　　AndMr。Bouncerlaughedandcoughed，andshuthiseyesbecauseofthecabbagesmoke……
　　WhenFlopsyandBenjamincamebackoldMr。Bouncerwokeup。
　　TommyBrockandalltheyoungrabbitbabieshaddisappeared!
　　Mr。Bouncerwouldnotconfessthathehadadmittedanybodyintotherabbithole。Butthesmellofbadgerwasundeniable；andtherewereroundheavyfootmarksinthesand。Hewasindisgrace；Flopsywrungherears，andslappedhim。
　　BenjaminBunnysetoffatonceafterTommyBrock。
　　Therewasnotmuchdifficultyintrackinghim；hehadlefthisfoot—
　　markandgoneslowlyupthewind—
　　ingfootpaththroughthewood。
　　Herehehadrootedupthemossandwoodsorrel。Therehehaddugquiteadeepholefordogdarnel；
　　andhadsetamoletrap。Alittlestreamcrossedtheway。Benjaminskippedlightlyoverdry—foot；thebadger’sheavystepsshowedplainlyinthemud。
　　Thepathledtoapartofthethicketwherethetreeshadbeencleared；therewereleafyoakstumps，andaseaofbluehyacinths——butthesmellthatmadeBenjaminstopwasNOTthesmellofflowers!
　　Mr。Tod’sstickhousewasbeforehim；and，foronce，Mr。Todwasathome。Therewasnotonlyafoxyflavorinproofofit——therewassmokecomingoutofthebrokenpailthatservedasachimney。
　　BenjaminBunnysatup，staring，hiswhiskerstwitched。Insidethestickhousesomebodydroppedaplate，andsaidsomething。Benjaminstampedhisfoot，andbolted。
　　Heneverstoppedtillhecametotheothersideofthewood。ApparentlyTommyBrockhadturnedthesameway。Uponthetopofthewalltherewereagainthemarksofbadger；andsomeravellingsofasackhadcaughtonabriar。
　　Benjaminclimbedoverthewall，intoameadow。Hefoundanothermoletrapnewlyset；hewasstilluponthetrackofTommyBrock。Itwasgettinglateintheafternoon。
　　Otherrabbitswerecomingouttoenjoytheeveningair。Oneoftheminabluecoat，byhimself，wasbusilyhuntingfordandelions。——
　　"CousinPeter!PeterRabbit，PeterRabbit!"shoutedBenjaminBunny。
　　Thebluecoatedrabbitsatupwithprickedears——"Whateveristhematter，CousinBenjamin？Isitacat？orJohnStoatFerret？"
　　"No，no，no!He’sbaggedmyfamily——TommyBrock——inasack——haveyouseenhim？"
　　"TommyBrock？howmany，CousinBenjamin？"
　　"Seven，CousinPeter，andallofthemtwins!Didhecomethisway？
　　Pleasetellmequick!"
　　"Yes，yes；nottenminutessince……hesaidtheywereCATERPILLARS；
　　Ididthinktheywerekickingratherhard，forcaterpillars。"
　　"Whichway？whichwayhashegone，CousinPeter？"
　　"Hehadasackwithsomething’liveinit；Iwatchedhimsetamoletrap。Letmeusemymind，CousinBenjamin；tellmefromthebeginning，"
　　Benjamindidso。
　　"MyUncleBouncerhasdisplayedalamentablewantofdiscretionforhisyears；"saidPeterreflectively，"buttherearetwohopefulcircumstances。Yourfamilyisaliveandkicking；andTommyBrockhashadrefreshments。Hewillprobablygotosleep，andkeepthemforbreakfast。"
　　"Whichway？""CousinBenjamin，composeyourself。Iknowverywellwhichway。BecauseMr。
　　TodwasathomeinthestickhousehehasgonetoMr。Tod’sotherhouse，atthetopofBullBanks。I
　　partlyknow，becauseheofferedtoleaveanymessageatSisterCottontail’s；
　　hesaidhewouldbepassing。"
　　（Cottontailhadmarriedablackrabbit，andgonetoliveonthehill。）
　　Peterhidhisdandelions，andaccompaniedtheafflictedparent，whowasallofatwitter。Theycrossedseveralfieldsandbegantoclimbthehill；thetracksofTommyBrockwereplainlytobeseen。Heseemedtohaveputdownthesackeverydozenyards，torest。
　　"Hemustbeverypuffed；weareclosebehindhim，bythescent。
　　Whatanastyperson!"saidPeter。
　　Thesunshinewasstillwarmandslantingonthehillpastures。Halfwayup，Cottontailwassittinginherdoorway，withfourorfivehalf—
　　grownlittlerabbitsplayingabouther；oneblackandtheothersbrown。
　　CottontailhadseenTommyBrockpassinginthedistance。
　　AskedwhetherherhusbandwasathomesherepliedthatTommyBrockhadrestedtwicewhileshewatchedhim。
　　Hehadnodded，andpointedtothesack，andseemeddoubledupwithlaughing。——"Comeaway，Peter；hewillbecookingthem；
　　comequicker!"saidBenjaminBunny。
　　Theyclimbedupandup；——"Hewasathome；Isawhisblackearspeepingoutofthehole。""Theylivetooneartherockstoquarrelwiththeirneighbors。Comeon，CousinBenjamin!"
　　WhentheycamenearthewoodatthetopofBullBanks，theywentcautiously。Thetreesgrewamongstheapeduprocks；andthere，beneathacrag，Mr。Todhadmadeoneofhishomes。Itwasatthetopofasteepbank；therocksandbushesoverhungit。Therabbitscreptupcarefully，listeningandpeeping。
　　Thishousewassomethingbetweenacave，aprison，andatumbledownpigsty。Therewasastrongdoor，whichwasshutandlocked。
　　Thesettingsunmadethewindowpanesglowlikeredflame；butthekitchenfirewasnotalight。Itwasneatlylaidwithdrysticks，astherabbitscouldsee，whentheypeepedthroughthewindow。
　　Benjaminsighedwithrelief。
　　Buttherewerepreparationsuponthekitchentablewhichmadehimshudder。Therewasanimmenseemptypiedishofbluewil—
　　lowpattern，andalargecarvingknifeandfork，andachopper。
　　Attheotherendofthetablewasapartlyunfoldedtablecloth，aplate，atumbler，aknifeandfork，saltcellar，mustardandachair——
　　inshort，preparationsforoneperson’ssupper。
　　Nopersonwastobeseen，andnoyoungrabbits。Thekitchenwasemptyandsilent；theclockhadrundown。PeterandBenjaminflattenedtheirnosesagainstthewindow，andstaredintothedusk。
　　Thentheyscrambledroundtherockstotheothersideofthehouse。
　　Itwasdampandsmelly，andover—
　　grownwiththornsandbriars。
　　Therabbitsshiveredintheirshoes。
　　"Ohmypoorrabbitbabies!
　　Whatadreadfulplace；Ishallneverseethemagain!"sighedBenjamin。
　　Theycreptuptothebedroomwindow。Itwasclosedandboltedlikethekitchen。Butthereweresignsthatthiswindowhadbeenrecentlyopen；thecobwebsweredisturbed，andtherewerefreshdirtyfootmarksuponthewindowsill。
　　Theroominsidewassodarkthatatfirsttheycouldmakeoutnothing；
　　buttheycouldhearanoise——aslowdeepregularsnoringgrunt。
　　Andastheireyesbecameaccustomedtothedarkness，theyperceivedthatsomebodywasasleeponMr。Tod’sbed，curledupundertheblanket。——"Hehasgonetobedinhisboots，"whisperedPeter。
　　Benjamin，whowasallofatwitter，pulledPeteroffthewindowsill。
　　TommyBrock’ssnorescontinued，gruntyandregularfromMr。
　　Tod’sbed。Nothingcouldbeseenoftheyoungfamily。
　　Thesunhadset；anowlbegantohootinthewood。Thereweremanyunpleasantthingslyingaboutthathadmuchbetterhavebeenburied；
　　rabbitbonesandskulls，andchickens’
　　legsandotherhorrors。Itwasashockingplace，andverydark。
　　Theywentbacktothefrontofthehouse，andtriedineverywaytomovetheboltofthekitchenwindow。
　　Theytriedtopushuparustynailbetweenthewindowsashes；
　　butitwasofnouse，especiallywithoutalight。
　　Theysatsidebysideoutsidethewindow，whisperingandlistening。
　　Inhalfanhourthemoonroseoverthewood。Itshonefullandclearandcold，uponthehouse，amongsttherocks，andinatthekitchenwindow。Butalas，nolittlerabbitbabiesweretobeseen!Themoonbeamstwinkledonthecarvingknifeandthepiedish，andmadeapathofbrightnessacrossthedirtyfloor。
　　Thelightshowedalittledoorinawallbesidethekitchenfireplace——alittleirondoorbelongingtoabrickovenofthatold—fashionedsortthatusedtobeheatedwithfaggotsofwood。
　　AndpresentlyatthesamemomentPeterandBenjaminnoticedthatwhenevertheyshookthewindowthelittledooroppositeshookinanswer。Theyoungfamilywerealive；shutupintheoven!
　　BenjaminwassoexcitedthatitwasamercyhedidnotawakeTommyBrock，whosesnorescontinuedsolemnlyinMr。Tod’sbed。
　　Buttherereallywasnotverymuchcomfortinthediscovery。
　　Theycouldnotopenthewindow；
　　andalthoughtheyoungfamilywasalivethelittlerabbitswerequitein—
　　capableoflettingthemselvesout；
　　theywerenotoldenoughtocrawl。
　　Aftermuchwhispering，PeterandBenjamindecidedtodigatunnel。
　　Theybegantoburrowayardortwolowerdownthebank。Theyhopedthattheymightbeabletoworkbetweenthelargestonesunderthehouse；thekitchenfloorwassodirtythatitwasimpossibletosaywhetheritwasmadeofearthorflags。
　　Theyduganddugforhours。
　　Theycouldnottunnelstraightonaccountofstones；butbytheendofthenighttheywereunderthekitchenfloor。Benjaminwasonhisbackscratchingupwards。Peter’sclawswereworndown；hewasoutsidethetunnel，shufflingsandaway。Hecalledoutthatitwasmorning——sunrise；andthatthejaysweremakinganoisedownbelowinthewoods。
　　BenjaminBunnycameoutofthedarktunnelshakingthesandfromhisears；hecleanedhisfacewithhispaws。Everyminutethesunshonewarmeronthetopofthehill。Inthevalleytherewasaseaofwhitemist，withgoldentopsoftreesshowingthrough。
　　Againfromthefieldsdownbelowinthemisttherecametheangrycryofajay，followedbythesharpyelpingbarkofafox!
　　Thenthosetworabbitslosttheirheadscompletely。Theydidthemostfoolishthingthattheycouldhavedone。Theyrushedintotheirshortnewtunnel，andhidthemselvesatthetopendofit，underMr。Tod’skitchenfloor。
　　Mr。TodwascomingupBullBanks，andhewasintheveryworstoftempers。Firsthehadbeenupsetbybreakingtheplate。Itwashisownfault；butitwasachinaplate，thelastofthedinnerservicethathadbelongedtohisgrandmother，oldVixenTod。Thenthemidgeshadbeenverybad。Andhehadfailedtocatchahenpheasantonhernest；andithadcontainedonlyfiveeggs，twoofthemaddled。Mr。
　　Todhadhadanunsatisfactorynight。
　　Asusual，whenoutofhumor，hedeterminedtomovehouse。Firsthetriedthepollardwillow，butitwasdamp；andtheottershadleftadeadfishnearit。Mr。Todlikesnobody’sleavingsbuthisown。
　　Hemadehiswayupthehill；histemperwasnotimprovedbynoticingunmistakablemarksofbadger。
　　NooneelsegrubsupthemosssowantonlyasTommyBrock。
　　Mr。Todslappedhisstickupontheearthandfumed；heguessedwhereTommyBrockhadgoneto。
　　Hewasfurtherannoyedbythejaybirdwhichfollowedhimpersistently。
　　Itflewfromtreetotreeandscolded，warningeveryrabbitwithinhearingthateitheracatorafoxwascominguptheplantation。
　　OncewhenitflewscreamingoverhisheadMr。Todsnappedatit，andbarked。
　　Heapproachedhishouseverycarefully，withalargerustykey。Hesniffedandhiswhiskersbristled。
　　Thehousewaslockedup，butMr。
　　Todhadhisdoubtswhetheritwasempty。Heturnedtherustykeyinthelock；therabbitsbelowcouldhearit。Mr。Todopenedthedoorcautiouslyandwentin。
　　ThesightthatmetMr。Tod’seyesinMr。Tod’skitchenmadeMr。Todfurious。TherewasMr。Tod’schair，andMr。Tod’spiedish，andhisknifeandforkandmustardandsaltcellar，andhistablecloth，thathehadleftfoldedupinthedresser——allsetoutforsupper（orbreakfast）
　　——withoutdoubtforthatodiousTommyBrock。
　　Therewasasmelloffreshearthanddirtybadger，whichfortunatelyoverpoweredallsmellofrabbit。
　　ButwhatabsorbedMr。Tod’sattentionwasanoise，adeepslowregularsnoringgruntingnoise，comingfromhisownbed。
　　Hepeepedthroughthehingesofthehalf—openbedroomdoor。Thenheturnedandcameoutofthehouseinahurry。Hiswhiskersbristledandhiscoatcollarstoodonendwithrage。
　　ForthenexttwentyminutesMr。
　　Todkeptcreepingcautiouslyintothehouse，andretreatinghurriedlyoutagain。Bydegreesheventuredfurtherin——rightintothebed—
　　room。Whenhewasoutsidethehouse，hescratcheduptheearthwithfury。Butwhenhewasinside——hedidnotlikethelookofTommyBrock’steeth。
　　Hewaslyingonhisbackwithhismouthopen，grinningfromeartoear。Hesnoredpeacefullyandregularly；butoneeyewasnotperfectlyshut。
　　Mr。Todcameinandoutofthebedroom。Twicehebroughtinhiswalkingstick，andoncehebroughtinthecoalscuttle。Buthethoughtbetterofit，andtookthemaway。
　　Whenhecamebackafterremovingthecoalscuttle，TommyBrockwaslyingalittlemoresideways；
　　butheseemedevensounderasleep。
　　Hewasanincurablyindolentperson；
　　hewasnotintheleastafraidofMr。Tod；hewassimplytoolazyandcomfortabletomove。
　　Mr。Todcamebackyetagainintothebedroomwithaclothesline。HestoodaminutewatchingTommyBrockandlisteningattentivelytothesnores。Theywereveryloudindeed，butseemedquitenatural。
　　Mr。Todturnedhisbacktowardsthebed，andundidthewindow。Itcreaked；heturnedroundwithajump。TommyBrock，whohadopenedoneeye——shutithastily。
　　Thesnorescontinued。
　　Mr。Tod’sproceedingswerepeculiar，andratherdifficult（becausethebedwasbetweenthewindowandthedoorofthebedroom）。Heopenedthewindowalittleway，andpushedoutthegreaterpartoftheclotheslineontothewindow—
　　sill。Therestoftheline，withahookattheend，remainedinhishand。
　　TommyBrocksnoredconscientiously。
　　Mr。Todstoodandlookedathimforaminute；thenhelefttheroomagain。
　　TommyBrockopenedbotheyes，andlookedattheropeandgrinned。
　　Therewasanoiseoutsidethewindow。
　　TommyBrockshuthiseyesinahurry。
　　Mr。Todhadgoneoutatthefrontdoor，androundtothebackofthehouse。Ontheway，hestumbledovertherabbitburrow。Ifhehadhadanyideawhowasinsideithewouldhavepulledthemoutquickly。
　　HisfootwentthroughthetunnelnearlyuponthetopofPeterRabbitandBenjamin；but，fortunately，hethoughtthatitwassomemoreofTommyBrock’swork。
　　Hetookupthecoiloflinefromthesill，listenedforamoment，andthentiedtheropetoatree。
　　TommyBrockwatchedhimwithoneeye，throughthewindow。Hewaspuzzled。
　　Mr。Todfetchedalargeheavypailfulofwaterfromthespring，andstaggeredwithitthroughthekitchenintohisbedroom。
　　TommyBrocksnoredindustriously，withratherasnort。
　　Mr。Todputdownthepailbesidethebed，tookuptheendofropewiththehook——hesitated，andlookedatTommyBrock。Thesnoreswerealmostapoplectic；butthegrinwasnotquitesobig。
　　Mr。Todgingerlymountedachairbytheheadofthebedstead。
　　HislegsweredangerouslyneartoTommyBrock’steeth。
　　Hereachedupandputtheendofrope，withthehook，overtheheadofthetesterbed，wherethecurtainsoughttohang。
　　（Mr。Tod’scurtainswerefoldedup，andputaway，owingtothehousebeingunoccupied。Sowasthecounterpane。TommyBrockwascoveredwithablanketonly。）
　　Mr。Todstandingontheunsteadychairlookeddownuponhimattentively；
　　hereallywasafirstprizesoundsleeper!
　　Itseemedasthoughnothingwouldwakenhim——noteventheflappingropeacrossthebed。
　　Mr。Toddescendedsafelyfromthechair，andendeavoredtogetupagainwiththepailofwater。Heintendedtohangitfromthehook，danglingovertheheadofTommyBrock，inordertomakeasortofshower—bath，workedbyastring，throughthewindow。
　　But，naturally，beingathin—
　　leggedperson（thoughvindictiveandsandywhiskered）——hewasquiteunabletolifttheheavyweighttothelevelofthehookandrope。Heverynearlyoverbalancedhimself。
　　Thesnoresbecamemoreandmoreapoplectic。OneofTommyBrock’shindlegstwitchedundertheblanket，butstillhesleptonpeacefully。
　　Mr。Todandthepaildescendedfromthechairwithoutaccident。
　　Afterconsiderablethought，heemptiedthewaterintoawashbasinandjug。Theemptypailwasnottooheavyforhim；heslungitupwobblingovertheheadofTommyBrock。
　　Surelythereneverwassuchasleeper!Mr。Todgotupanddown，downanduponthechair。
　　Ashecouldnotliftthewholepailfulofwateratoncehefetchedamilkjugandladledquartsofwaterintothepailbydegrees。Thepailgotfullerandfuller，andswunglikeapendulum。Occasionallyadropsplashedover；butstillTommyBrocksnoredregularlyandnevermoved，——exceptinoneeye。
　　AtlastMr。Tod’spreparationswerecomplete。Thepailwasfullofwater；theropewastightlystrainedoverthetopofthebed，andacrossthewindowsilltothetreeoutside。
　　"Itwillmakeagreatmessinmybedroom；butIcouldneversleepinthatbedagainwithoutaspringcleaningofsomesort，"saidMr。
　　Tod。
　　Mr。Todtookalastlookatthebadgerandsoftlylefttheroom。Hewentoutofthehouse，shuttingthefrontdoor。Therabbitsheardhisfootstepsoverthetunnel。
　　Heranroundbehindthehouse，intendingtoundotheropeinordertoletfallthepailfulofwateruponTommyBrock——
　　"Iwillwakehimupwithanunpleasantsurprise，"saidMr。Tod。
　　Themomenthehadgone，TommyBrockgotupinahurry；herolledMr。Tod’sdressing—gownintoabundle，putitintothebedbeneaththepailofwaterinsteadofhimself，andlefttheroomalso——
　　grinningimmensely。
　　Hewentintothekitchen，lightedthefireandboiledthekettle；forthemomenthedidnottroublehimselftocookthebabyrabbits。
　　WhenMr。Todgottothetree，hefoundthattheweightandstrainhaddraggedtheknotsotightthatitwaspastuntying。Hewasobligedtognawitwithhisteeth。Hechewedandgnawedformorethantwentyminutes。Atlasttheropegavewaywithsuchasuddenjerkthatitnearlypulledhisteethout，andquiteknockedhimoverbackwards。
　　Insidethehousetherewasagreatcrashandsplash，andthenoiseofapailrollingoverandover。
　　Butnoscreams。Mr。Todwasmystified；hesatquitestill，andlistenedattentively。Thenhepeepedinatthewindow。Thewaterwasdrippingfromthebed，thepailhadrolledintoacorner。
　　Inthemiddleofthebed，undertheblanket，wasawetSOMETHING
　　——muchflattenedinthemiddle，wherethepailhadcaughtit（asitwereacrossthetummy）。Itsheadwascoveredbythewetblanket，anditwasNOTSNORINGANYLONGER。
　　Therewasnothingstirring，andnosoundexceptthedrip，drop，drop，drip，ofwatertricklingfromthemattress。
　　Mr。Todwatcheditforhalfanhour；hiseyesglistened。
　　Thenhecutacaper，andbecamesoboldthatheeventappedatthewindow；butthebundlenevermoved。
　　Yes——therewasnodoubtaboutit——ithadturnedoutevenbetterthanhehadplanned；thepailhadhitpooroldTommyBrock，andkilledhimdead!
　　"Iwillburythatnastypersonintheholewhichhehasdug。Iwillbringmybeddingout，anddryitinthesun，"saidMr。Tod。
　　"Iwillwashthetableclothandspreaditonthegrassinthesuntobleach。Andtheblanketmustbehungupinthewind；andthebedmustbethoroughlydisinfected，andairedwithawarming—pan；
　　andwarmedwithahotwaterbottle。"
　　"Iwillgetsoftsoap，andmonkeysoap，andallsortsofsoap；andsodaandscrubbingbrushes；andpersianpowder；andcarbolictoremovethesmell。Imusthaveadisinfecting。PerhapsImayhavetoburnsulphur。"
　　Hehurriedroundthehousetogetashovelfromthekitchen——
　　"FirstIwillarrangethehole——thenIwilldragoutthatpersonintheblanket……"
　　Heopenedthedoor……
　　TommyBrockwassittingatMr。
　　Tod’skitchentable，pouringoutteafromMr。Tod’steapotintoMr。
　　Tod’steacup。Hewasquitedryhimselfandgrinning；andhethrewthecupofscaldingteaalloverMr。
　　Tod。
　　ThenMr。TodrusheduponTommyBrock，andTommyBrockgrappledwithMr。Todamongstthebrokencrockery，andtherewasaterrificbattlealloverthekitchen。Totherabbitsunderneathitsoundedasifthefloorwouldgivewayateachcrashoffallingfurniture。
　　Theycreptoutoftheirtunnel，andhungaboutamongsttherocksandbushes，listeninganxiously。
　　Insidethehousetheracketwasfearful。Therabbitbabiesintheovenwokeuptrembling；perhapsitwasfortunatetheywereshutupinside。
　　Everythingwasupsetexceptthekitchentable。
　　Andeverythingwasbroken，exceptthemantelpieceandthekitchenfender。Thecrockerywassmashedtoatoms。
　　Thechairswerebroken，andthewindow，andtheclockfellwithacrash，andtherewerehandfulsofMr。Tod’ssandywhiskers。
　　Thevasesfelloffthemantelpiece，thecannistersfellofftheshelf；thekettlefelloffthehob。
　　TommyBrockputhisfootinajarofraspberryjam。
　　AndtheboilingwateroutofthekettlefelluponthetailofMr。Tod。
　　Whenthekettlefell，TommyBrock，whowasstillgrinning，happenedtobeuppermost；andherolledMr。Todoverandoverlikealog，outatthedoor。
　　Thenthesnarlingandworryingwentonoutside；andtheyrolledoverthebank，anddownhill，bumpingovertherocks。TherewillneverbeanylovelostbetweenTommyBrockandMr。Tod。
　　Assoonasthecoastwasclear，PeterRabbitandBenjaminBunnycameoutofthebushes。
　　"Nowforit!Runin，CousinBenjamin!Runinandgetthem!whileIwatchthedoor。"
　　ButBenjaminwasfrightened——
　　"Oh；oh!theyarecomingback!"
　　"Notheyarenot。"
　　"Yestheyare!"
　　"Whatdreadfulbadlanguage!I
　　thinktheyhavefallendownthestonequarry。"
　　StillBenjaminhesitated，andPeterkeptpushinghim——
　　"Bequick，it’sallright。Shuttheovendoor，CousinBenjamin，sothathewon’tmissthem。"
　　DecidedlytherewerelivelydoingsinMr。Tod’skitchen!
　　Athomeintherabbithole，thingshadnotbeenquitecomfortable。
　　Afterquarrelingatsupper，FlopsyandoldMr。Bouncerhadpassedasleeplessnight，andquarrelledagainatbreakfast。OldMr。
　　Bouncercouldnolongerdenythathehadinvitedcompanyintotherabbithole；butherefusedtoreplytothequestionsandreproachesofFlopsy。Thedaypassedheavily。
　　OldMr。Bouncer，verysulky，washuddledupinacorner，barricadedwithachair。Flopsyhadtakenawayhispipeandhiddenthetobacco。
　　Shehadbeenhavingacompleteturnoutandspringcleaning，torelieveherfeelings。Shehadjustfinished。OldMr。Bouncer，behindhischair，waswonderinganxiouslywhatshewoulddonext。
　　InMr。Tod’skitchen，amidstthewreckage，BenjaminBunnypickedhiswaytotheovennervously，throughathickcloudofdust。Heopenedtheovendoor，feltinside，andfoundsomethingwarmandwriggling。Helifteditoutcarefully，andrejoinedPeterRabbit。
　　"I’vegotthem!Canwegetaway？
　　Shallwehide，CousinPeter？"
　　Peterprickedhisears；distantsoundsoffightingstillechoedinthewood。
　　FiveminutesafterwardstwobreathlessrabbitscamescutteringawaydownBullBanks，halfcarrying，halfdraggingasackbetweenthem，bumpettybumpoverthegrass。Theyreachedhomesafely，andburstintotherabbithole。
　　GreatwasoldMr。Bouncer’sreliefandFlopsy’sjoywhenPeterandBenjaminarrivedintriumphwiththeyoungfamily。Therabbitbabieswererathertumbledandveryhungry；
　　theywerefedandputtobed。
　　Theysoonrecovered。
　　AnewlongpipeandafreshsupplyofrabbittobaccowaspresentedtoMr。Bouncer。Hewasratheruponhisdignity；butheaccepted。
　　OldMr。Bouncerwasforgiven，andtheyallhaddinner。ThenPeterandBenjamintoldtheirstory——buttheyhadnotwaitedlongenoughtobeabletotelltheendofthebattlebetweenTommyBrockandMr。
　　Tod。
　　THETALEOF
　　PIGLINGBLAND
　　[ForCicilyandCharlie，aTaleoftheChristmasPig]
　　OnceuponatimetherewasanoldpigcalledAuntPettitoes。Shehadeightofafamily：fourlittlegirlpigs，calledCross—patch，Suck—suck，Yock—yockandSpot；andfourlittleboypigs，calledAlexander，PiglingBland，Chin—ChinandStumpy。
　　Stumpyhadhadanaccidenttohistail。
　　Theeightlittlepigshadveryfineappetites——"Yus，yus，yus!theyeatandindeedtheyDOeat!"saidAuntPettitoes，lookingatherfamilywithpride。Suddenlytherewerefearfulsqueals；Alexanderhadsqueezedinsidethehoopsofthepigtroughandstuck。
　　AuntPettitoesandIdraggedhimoutbythehindlegs。
　　Chin—chinwasalreadyindisgrace；
　　itwaswashingday，andhehadeatenapieceofsoap。Andpresentlyinabasketofcleanclothes，wefoundanotherdirtylittlepig——"Tchut，tut，tut!whicheveristhis？"gruntedAuntPettitoes。
　　Nowallthepigfamilyarepink，orpinkwithblackspots，butthispigchildwassmuttyblackallover；
　　whenithadbeenpoppedintoatub，itprovedtobeYock—yock。
　　Iwentintothegarden；thereI
　　foundCross—patchandSuck—suckrootingupcarrots。Iwhippedthemmyselfandledthemoutbytheears。Cross—patchtriedtobiteme。
　　"AuntPettitoes，AuntPettitoes!
　　youareaworthyperson，butyourfamilyisnotwellbroughtup。
　　EveryoneofthemhasbeeninmischiefexceptSpotandPiglingBland。"
　　"Yus，yus!"sighedAuntPettitoes。
　　"Andtheydrinkbucketfulsofmilk；
　　Ishallhavetogetanothercow!
　　GoodlittleSpotshallstayathometodothehousework；buttheothersmustgo。Fourlittleboypigsandfourlittlegirlpigsaretoomanyaltogether。""Yus，yus，yus，"saidAuntPettitoes，"therewillbemoretoeatwithoutthem。"
　　SoChin—chinandSuck—suckwentawayinawheel—barrow，andStumpy，Yock—yockandCross—
　　patchrodeawayinacart。
　　Andtheothertwolittleboypigs，PiglingBlandandAlexanderwenttomarket。Webrushedtheircoats，wecurledtheirtailsandwashedtheirlittlefaces，andwishedthemgoodbyeintheyard。
　　AuntPettitoeswipedhereyeswithalargepockethandkerchief，thenshewipedPiglingBland’snoseandshedtears；thenshewipedAlexander’snoseandshedtears；
　　thenshepassedthehandkerchieftoSpot。AuntPettitoessighedandgrunted，andaddressedthoselittlepigsasfollows——
　　"NowPiglingBland，sonPiglingBland，youmustgotomarket。TakeyourbrotherAlexanderbythehand。MindyourSundayclothes，andremembertoblowyournose"
　　——（AuntPettitoespassedroundthehandkerchiefagain）——"bewareoftraps，henroosts，baconandeggs；
　　alwayswalkuponyourhindlegs。"
　　PiglingBlandwhowasasedatelittlepig，lookedsolemnlyathismother，ateartrickleddownhischeek。
　　AuntPettitoesturnedtotheother——"NowsonAlexandertakethehand"——"Wee，wee，wee!"
　　giggledAlexander——"takethehandofyourbrotherPiglingBland，youmustgotomarket。Mind——""Wee，wee，wee!"interruptedAlexanderagain。"Youputmeout，"saidAuntPettitoes——"Observesignpostsandmilestones；donotgobbleherringbones——""Andremember，"saidI
　　impressively，"ifyouoncecrossthecountyboundaryyoucannotcomeback。Alexander，youarenotattending。HerearetwolicensespermittingtwopigstogotomarketinLancashire。AttendAlexander。I
　　havehadnoendoftroubleingettingthesepapersfromthepoliceman。"
　　PiglingBlandlistenedgravely；Alexanderwashopelesslyvolatile。
　　Ipinnedthepapers，forsafety，insidetheirwaistcoatpockets；
　　AuntPettitoesgavetoeachalittlebundle，andeightconversationpeppermintswithappropriatemoralsentimentsinscrewsofpaper。Thentheystarted。
　　PiglingBlandandAlexandertrottedalongsteadilyforamile；atleastPiglingBlanddid。Alexandermadetheroadhalfaslongagainbyskippingfromsidetoside。Hedancedaboutandpinchedhisbrother，singing——
　　"Thispigwenttomarket，thispigstayedathome，"Thispighadabitofmeat——
　　let’sseewhattheyhavegivenUSfordinner，Pigling？"
　　PiglingBlandandAlexandersatdownanduntiedtheirbundles。
　　Alexandergobbleduphisdinnerinnotime；hehadalreadyeatenallhisownpeppermints——"Givemeoneofyours，please，Pigling？""ButIwishtopreservethemforemergencies，"saidPiglingBlanddoubtfully。Alexanderwentintosquealsoflaughter。ThenheprickedPiglingwiththepinthathadfastenedhispigpaper；andwhenPiglingslappedhimhedroppedthepin，andtriedtotakePigling’spin，andthepapersgotmixedup。PiglingBlandreprovedAlexander。
　　Butpresentlytheymadeitupagain，andtrottedawaytogether，singing——
　　"Tom，Tomthepiper’sson，stoleapigandawayheran!
　　"Butallthetunethathecouldplay，was`Overthehillsandfaraway!’"
　　"What’sthat，youngSirs？Stoleapig？Whereareyourlicenses？"saidthepoliceman。Theyhadnearlyrunagainsthimroundacorner。PiglingBlandpulledouthispaper；Alexander，afterfumbling，handedoversomethingscrumply——
　　"To21/2oz。conversationsweetiesatthreefarthings"——"What’sthis？
　　thisain’talicense？"Alexander’snoselengthenedvisibly，hehadlostit。"Ihadone，indeedIhad，Mr。
　　Policeman!"
　　"It’snotlikelytheyletyoustartwithout。Iampassingthefarm。
　　Youmaywalkwithme。""CanI
　　comebacktoo？"inquiredPiglingBland。"Iseenoreason，youngSir；
　　yourpaperisallright。"PiglingBlanddidnotlikegoingonalone，anditwasbeginningtorain。Butitisunwisetoarguewiththepolice；
　　hegavehisbrotherapeppermint，andwatchedhimoutofsight。
　　ToconcludetheadventuresofAlexander——thepolicemansauntereduptothehouseaboutteatime，followedbyadampsubduedlittlepig。IdisposedofAlexanderintheneighborhood；hedidfairlywellwhenhehadsettleddown。
　　PiglingBlandwentonalonedejectedly；hecametocrossroadsandasign—post——"ToMarket—town5
　　miles，""OvertheHills，4miles，"
　　"ToPettitoesFarm，3miles。"
　　PiglingBlandwasshocked，therewaslittlehopeofsleepinginMarketTown，andtomorrowwasthehiringfair；itwasdeplorabletothinkhowmuchtimehadbeenwastedbythefrivolityofAlexander。
　　Heglancedwistfullyalongtheroadtowardsthehills，andthensetoffwalkingobedientlytheotherway，buttoninguphiscoatagainsttherain。Hehadneverwantedtogo；andtheideaofstandingallbyhimselfinacrowdedmarket，tobestaredat，pushed，andhiredbysomebigstrangefarmerwasverydisagreeable——
　　"IwishIcouldhavealittlegardenandgrowpotatoes，"saidPiglingBland。
　　Heputhiscoldhandinhispocketandfelthispaper，heputhisotherhandinhisotherpocketandfeltanotherpaper——Alexander’s!
　　Piglingsquealed；thenranbackfrantically，hopingtoovertakeAlexanderandthepoliceman。
　　Hetookawrongturn——severalwrongturns，andwasquitelost。
　　Itgrewdark，thewindwhistled，thetreescreakedandgroaned。
　　PiglingBlandbecamefrightenedandcried"Wee，wee，wee!Ican’tfindmywayhome!"
　　Afteranhour’swanderinghegotoutofthewood；themoonshonethroughtheclouds，andPiglingBlandsawacountrythatwasnewtohim。
　　Theroadcrossedamoor；belowwasawidevalleywitharivertwinklinginthemoonlight，andbeyond——inmistydistance——laythehills。
　　Hesawasmallwoodenhut，madehiswaytoit，andcreptinside——"IamafraiditISahenhouse，butwhatcanIdo？"saidPiglingBland，wetandcoldandquitetiredout。
　　"Baconandeggs，baconandeggs!"cluckedahenonaperch。
　　"Trap，trap，trap!cackle，cackle，cackle!"scoldedthedisturbedcockerel。"Tomarket，tomarket!
　　jiggettyjig!"cluckedabroodywhitehenroostingnexttohim。PiglingBland，muchalarmed，determinedtoleaveatdaybreak。Inthemeantime，heandthehensfellasleep。
　　Inlessthananhourtheywereallawakened。Theowner，Mr。PeterThomasPiperson，camewithalanternandahampertocatchsixfowlstotaketomarketinthemorning。
　　Hegrabbedthewhitehenroostingnexttothecock；thenhiseyefelluponPiglingBland，squeezedupinacorner。Hemadeasingularremark——"Hallo，here’sanother!"
　　——seizedPiglingbythescruffoftheneck，anddroppedhimintothehamper。Thenhedroppedinfivemoredirty，kicking，cacklinghensuponthetopofPiglingBland。
　　Thehampercontainingsixfowlsandayoungpigwasnolightweight；itwastakendownhill，unsteadily，withjerks。Pigling，althoughnearlyscratchedtopieces，contrivedtohidethepapersandpeppermintsinsidehisclothes。
　　Atlastthehamperwasbumpeddownuponakitchenfloor，thelidwasopened，andPiglingwasliftedout。Helookedup，blinking，andsawanoffensivelyuglyelderlyman，grinningfromeartoear。
　　"Thisone’scomeofhimself，whatever，"saidMr。Piperson，turningPigling’spocketsinsideout。Hepushedthehamperintoacorner，threwasackoverittokeepthehensquiet，putapotonthefire，andunlacedhisboots。
　　PiglingBlanddrewforwardacoppystool，andsatontheedgeofit，shylywarminghishands。Mr。
　　Pipersonpulledoffabootandthrewitagainstthewainscotatthefurtherendofthekitchen。Therewasasmotherednoise——"Shutup!"saidMr。Piperson。PiglingBlandwarmedhishands，andeyedhim。
　　Mr。Pipersonpulledofftheotherbootandflungitafterthefirst，therewasagainacuriousnoise——
　　"Bequiet，willye？"saidMr。Piperson。
　　PiglingBlandsatontheveryedgeofthecoppystool。
　　Mr。Pipersonfetchedmealfromachestandmadeporridge，itseemedtoPiglingthatsomethingatthefurtherendofthekitchenwastakingasuppressedinterestinthecooking；buthewastoohungrytobetroubledbynoises。
　　Mr。Pipersonpouredoutthreeplatefuls：forhimself，forPigling，andathird—afterglaringatPigling——
　　heputawaywithmuchscuffling，andlockedup。PiglingBlandatehissupperdiscreetly。
　　AftersupperMr。Pipersonconsultedanalmanac，andfeltPigling’sribs；itwastoolateintheseasonforcuringbacon，andhegrudgedhismeal。Besides，thehenshadseenthispig。
　　Helookedatthesmallremainsofaflitch[sideofbacon]，andthenlookedundecidedlyatPigling。"Youmaysleepontherug，"saidMr。
　　PeterThomasPiperson。
　　PiglingBlandsleptlikeatop。InthemorningMr。Pipersonmademoreporridge；theweatherwaswarmer。Helookedhowmuchmealwasleftinthechest，andseemeddissatisfied——"You’lllikelybemovingonagain？"saidhetoPiglingBland。
　　BeforePiglingcouldreply，aneighbor，whowasgivingMr。Pipersonandthehensalift，whistledfromthegate。Mr。Pipersonhurriedoutwiththehamper，enjoiningPiglingtoshutthedoorbehindhimandnotmeddlewithnought；or"I’llcomebackandskinye!"saidMr。Piperson。
　　ItcrossedPigling’smindthatifHEhadaskedforalift，too，hemightstillhavebeenintimeformarket。
　　ButhedistrustedPeterThomas。
　　Afterfinishingbreakfastathisleisure，Piglinghadalookroundthecottage；everythingwaslockedup。Hefoundsomepotatopeelingsinabucketinthebackkitchen。
　　Piglingatethepeel，andwasheduptheporridgeplatesinthebucket。
　　Hesangwhileheworked——
　　"Tomwithhispipemadesuchanoise，Hecalledupallthegirlsandboys——
　　"Andtheyallrantohearhimplay，"Overthehillsandfaraway!——"
　　Suddenlyalittlesmotheredvoicechimedin——
　　"Overthehillsandagreatwayoff，Thewindshallblowmytopknotoff。"
　　PiglingBlandputdownaplatewhichhewaswiping，andlistened。
　　Afteralongpause，Piglingwentontiptoeandpeepedroundthedoorintothefrontkitchen；therewasnobodythere。
　　Afteranotherpause，Piglingapproachedthedoorofthelockedcupboard，andsnuffedatthekeyhole。
　　Itwasquitequiet。
　　Afteranotherlongpause，Piglingpushedapeppermintunderthedoor。Itwassuckedinimmediately。
　　InthecourseofthedayPiglingpushedinallhisremainingsixpeppermints。
　　WhenMr。Pipersonreturned，hefoundPiglingsittingbeforethefire；
　　hehadbrushedupthehearthandputonthepottoboil；themealwasnotget—at—able。
　　Mr。Pipersonwasveryaffable；heslappedPiglingontheback，madelotsofporridgeandforgottolockthemealchest。Hedidlockthecup—
　　boarddoor；butwithoutproperlyshuttingit。Hewenttobedearly，andtoldPiglinguponnoaccounttodisturbhimnextdaybeforetwelveo’clock。
　　PiglingBlandsatbythefire，eatinghissupper。
　　Allatonceathiselbow，alittlevoicespoke——"MynameisPig—wig。
　　Makememoreporridge，please!"
　　PiglingBlandjumped，andlookedround。
　　AperfectlylovelylittleblackBerkshirepigstoodsmilingbesidehim。Shehadtwinklylittlescrewedupeyes，adoublechin，andashortturnedupnose。
　　ShepointedatPigling’splate；hehastilygaveittoher，andfledtothemealchest——"Howdidyoucomehere？"askedPiglingBland。
　　"Stolen，"repliedPig—wig，withhermouthfull。Piglinghelpedhimselftomealwithoutscruple。"Whatfor？""Bacon，hams，"repliedPig—
　　wigcheerfully。"Whyonearthdon’tyourunaway？"exclaimedthehorrifiedPigling。
　　"Ishallaftersupper，"saidPig—
　　wigdecidedly。
　　PiglingBlandmademoreporridgeandwatchedhershyly。
　　Shefinishedasecondplate，gotup，andlookedabouther，asthoughsheweregoingtostart。
　　"Youcan’tgointhedark，"saidPiglingBland。
　　Pig—wiglookedanxious。
　　"Doyouknowyourwaybyday—
　　light？"
　　"Iknowwecanseethislittlewhitehousefromthehillsacrosstheriver。Whichwayare_you_going，Mr。Pig？"
　　"Tomarket——Ihavetwopigpapers。Imighttakeyoutothebridge；
　　ifyouhavenoobjection，"saidPiglingmuchconfusedandsittingontheedgeofhiscoppystool。Pig—
　　wig’sgratitudewassuchandsheaskedsomanyquestionsthatitbecameembarrassingtoPiglingBland。
　　Hewasobligedtoshuthiseyesandpretendtosleep。Shebecamequiet，andtherewasasmellofpeppermint。
　　"Ithoughtyouhadeatenthem？"
　　saidPigling，wakingsuddenly。
　　"Onlythecorners，"repliedPig—
　　wig，studyingthesentimentswithmuchinterestbythefirelight。
　　"Iwishyouwouldn’t；hemightsmellthemthroughtheceiling，"
　　saidthealarmedPigling。
　　Pig—wigputbackthestickypeppermintsintoherpocket；"Singsomething，"shedemanded。
　　"Iamsorry……Ihavetooth—
　　ache，"saidPiglingmuchdismayed。
　　"ThenIwillsing，"repliedPig—
　　wig，"YouwillnotmindifIsayiddytidditty？Ihaveforgottensomeofthewords。"
　　PiglingBlandmadenoobjection；
　　hesatwithhiseyeshalfshut，andwatchedher。
　　Shewaggedherheadandrockedabout，clappingtimeandsinginginasweetlittlegruntyvoice——
　　"Afunnyoldmotherpiglivedinastye，andthreelittlepiggieshadshe；
　　"（Tiiddittyidditty）umph，umph，umph!andthelittlepigssaidwee，wee!"
　　Shesangsuccessfullythroughthreeorfourverses，onlyateveryverseherheadnoddedalittlelower，andherlittletwinklyeyesclosedup——
　　"Thosethreelittlepiggiesgrewpeakyandlean，andleantheymightverywellbe；
　　"Forsomehowtheycouldn’tsayumph，umph，umph!andtheywouldn’tsaywee，wee，wee!
　　"Forsomehowtheycouldn’tsay——
　　Pig—wig’sheadbobbedlowerandlower，untilsherolledover，alittleroundball，fastasleeponthehearth—rug。
　　PiglingBland，ontiptoe，coveredherupwithanantimacassar。
　　Hewasafraidtogotosleephimself；
　　fortherestofthenighthesatlisteningtothechirpingofthecricketsandtothesnoresofMr。
　　Pipersonoverhead。
　　Earlyinthemorning，betweendarkanddaylight，PiglingtieduphislittlebundleandwokeupPig—
　　wig。Shewasexcitedandhalf—
　　frightened。"Butit’sdark!Howcanwefindourway？"
　　"Thecockhascrowed；wemuststartbeforethehenscomeout；theymightshouttoMr。Piperson。"
　　Pig—wigsatdownagain，andcommencedtocry。
　　"ComeawayPig—wig；wecanseewhenwegetusedtoit。Come!Icanhearthemclucking!"
　　Piglinghadneversaidshuh!toaheninhislife，beingpeaceable；
　　alsoherememberedthehamper。
　　Heopenedthehousedoorquietlyandshutitafterthem。Therewasnogarden；theneighborhoodofMr。Piperson’swasallscratchedupbyfowls。Theyslippedawayhandinhandacrossanuntidyfieldtotheroad。
　　"Tom，Tomthepiper’sson，stoleapigandawayheran!
　　"Butallthetunethathecouldplay，was`Overthehillsandfaraway!’"
　　"ComePig—wig，wemustgettothebridgebeforefolksarestirring。"
　　"Whydoyouwanttogotomarket，Pigling？"inquiredPig—wigThesunrosewhiletheywerecrossingthemoor，adazzleoflightoverthetopsofthehills。Thesunshinecreptdowntheslopesintothepeacefulgreenvalleys，wherelittlewhitecottagesnestledingardensandorchards。
　　"That’sWestmorland，"saidPig—
　　wig。ShedroppedPigling’shandandcommencedtodance，singing——
　　presently。"Idon’twant；Iwanttogrowpotatoes。""Haveapeppermint？"
　　saidPig—wig。PiglingBlandrefusedquitecrossly。"Doesyourpoortoothyhurt？"inquiredPig—
　　wig。PiglingBlandgrunted。
　　Pig—wigatethepeppermintherself，andfollowedtheoppositesideoftheroad。"Pig—wig!keepunderthewall，there’samanploughing。"
　　Pig—wigcrossedover，theyhurrieddownhilltowardsthecountyboundary。
　　SuddenlyPiglingstopped；heheardwheels。
　　Slowlyjogginguptheroadbelowthemcameatradesman’scart。Thereinsflappedonthehorse’sback，thegrocerwasreadinganewspaper。
　　"Takethatpeppermintoutofyourmouth，Pig—wig，wemayhavetorun。Don’tsayoneword。Leaveittome。Andinsightofthebridge!"
　　saidpoorPigling，nearlycrying。
　　Hebegantowalkfrightfullylame，holdingPig—wig’sarm。
　　Thegrocer，intentuponhisnewspaper，mighthavepassedthem，ifhishorsehadnotshiedandsnorted。Hepulledthecartcrossways，andhelddownhiswhip。"Hallo？Whereareyougoingto？"——PiglingBlandstaredathimvacantly。
　　"Areyoudeaf？Areyougoingtomarket？"Piglingnoddedslowly。
　　"Ithoughtasmuch。Itwasyesterday。Showmeyourlicense？"
　　Piglingstaredattheoffhindshoeofthegrocer’shorsewhichhadpickedupastone。
　　Thegrocerflickedhiswhip——
　　"Papers？Piglicense？"Piglingfumbledinallhispockets，andhandedupthepapers。Thegrocerreadthem，butstillseemeddissatisfied。
　　"Thisherepigisayounglady；ishernameAlexander？"Pig—wigopenedhermouthandshutitagain；Piglingcoughedasthmatically。
　　Thegrocerranhisfingerdowntheadvertisementcolumnofhisnewspaper——"Lost，stolenorstrayed，10S。reward；"helookedsuspiciouslyatPig—wig。Thenhestoodupinthetrap，andwhistledfortheploughman。
　　"YouwaitherewhileIdriveonandspeaktohim，"saidthegrocer，gatheringupthereins。Heknewthatpigsareslippery；butsurely，suchaVERYlamepigcouldneverrun!
　　"Notyet，Pig—wig，hewilllookback。"Thegrocerdidso；hesawthetwopigsstock—stillinthemid—
　　dleoftheroad。Thenhelookedoverathishorse’sheels；itwaslamealso；thestonetooksometimetoknockout，afterhegottotheploughman。
　　"Now，Pig—wig，NOW!"saidPiglingBland。
　　Neverdidanypigsrunasthesepigsran!Theyracedandsquealedandpelteddownthelongwhitehilltowardsthebridge。LittlefatPig—
　　wig’spetticoatsfluttered，andherfeetwentpitter，patter，pitter，assheboundedandjumped。
　　Theyran，andtheyran，andtheyrandownthehill，andacrossashortcutonlevelgreenturfatthebottom，betweenpebblebedsandrushes。
　　Theycametotheriver，theycametothebridge——theycrossedithandinhand——thenoverthehillsandfarawayshedancedwithPiglingBland!
　　GINGERANDPICKLES
　　[DedicatedWithverykindregardstooldMr。JohnTaylor，Who"thinkshemightpassasadormouse，"
　　（Threeyearsinbedandneveragrumble!）。]
　　Onceuponatimetherewasavillageshop。Thenameoverthewindowwas"GingerandPickles。"
　　ItwasalittlesmallshopjusttherightsizeforDolls——
　　LucindaandJaneDoll—cookalwaysboughttheirgroceriesatGingerandPickles。
　　Thecounterinsidewasaconvenientheightforrabbits。
　　GingerandPicklessoldredspottypockethandkerchiefsatapennythreefarthings。
　　Theyalsosoldsugar，andsnuffandgaloshes。
　　Infact，althoughitwassuchasmallshopitsoldnearlyeverything——exceptafewthingsthatyouwantinahurry——likebootlaces，hair—
　　pinsandmuttonchops。
　　GingerandPickleswerethepeoplewhokepttheshop。
　　Gingerwasayellowtomcat，andPickleswasaterrier。
　　TherabbitswerealwaysalittlebitafraidofPickles。
　　Theshopwasalsopatronizedbymice——onlythemicewereratherafraidofGinger。
　　GingerusuallyrequestedPicklestoservethem，becausehesaiditmadehismouthwater。
　　"Icannotbear，"saidhe，"toseethemgoingoutatthedoorcarryingtheirlittleparcels。"
　　"Ihavethesamefeelingaboutrats，"repliedPickles，"butitwouldneverdotoeatourcustomers；theywouldleaveusandgotoTabithaTwitchit’s。"
　　"Onthecontrary，theywouldgonowhere，"repliedGingergloomily。
　　（TabithaTwitchitkepttheonlyothershopinthevillage。
　　Shedidnotgivecredit。）
　　Butthereisnomoneyinwhatiscalledthe"till。"
　　GingerandPicklesgaveunlimitedcredit。
　　Nowthemeaningof"credit"isthis——whenacustomerbuysabarofsoap，insteadofthecustomerpullingoutapurseandpayingforit——shesaysshewillpayanothertime。
　　AndPicklesmakesalowbowandsays，"Withpleasure，madam，"anditiswrittendowninabook。
　　Thecustomerscomeagainandagain，andbuyquantities，inspiteofbeingafraidofGingerandPickles。
　　Thecustomerscameincrowdseverydayandboughtquantities，especiallythetoffeecustomers。Buttherewasalwaysnomoney；theyneverpaidforasmuchasapenny—
　　worthofpeppermints。
　　Butthesaleswereenormous，tentimesaslargeasTabithaTwitchit’s。
　　Astherewasalwaysnomoney，GingerandPickleswereobligedtoeattheirowngoods。
　　PicklesatebiscuitsandGingerateadriedhaddock。
　　Theyatethembycandle—
　　lightaftertheshopwasclosed。
　　"Itisveryuncomfortable，I
　　amafraidIshallbesummoned。
　　IhavetriedinvaintogetalicenseuponcreditatthePostOffice；"saidPickles。
　　"Theplaceisfullofpolicemen。
　　ImetoneasIwascominghome。
　　"LetussendinthebillagaintoSamuelWhiskers，Ginger，heowes22/9forbacon。"
　　"Idonotbelievethatheintendstopayatall，"repliedGinger。
　　WhenitcametoJan。1sttherewasstillnomoney，andPickleswasunabletobuyadoglicense。
　　"Itisveryunpleasant，Iamafraidofthepolice，"saidPickles。
　　"Itisyourownfaultforbeingaterrier；_I_donotrequirealicense，andneitherdoesKep，theColliedog。"
　　"AndIfeelsurethatAnnaMariapocketsthings——
　　"Whereareallthecreamcrackers？"
　　"Youhaveeatenthemyourself。"
　　repliedGinger。
　　GingerandPicklesretiredintothebackparlor。
　　Theydidaccounts。Theyaddedupsumsandsums，andsums。
　　"SamuelWhiskershasrunupabillaslongashistail；hehashadanounceandthree—
　　quartersofsnuffsinceOctober。
　　"Whatissevenpoundsofbutterat1/3，andastickofsealingwaxandfourmatches？"
　　"Sendinallthebillsagaintoeverybody`withcompliments，’"
　　repliedGinger。
　　Picklesnearlyhadafit，hebarkedandhebarkedandmadelittlerushes。
　　"Bitehim，Pickles!bitehim!"splutteredGingerbehindasugarbarrel，"he’sonlyaGermandoll!"
　　Thepolicemanwentonwritinginhisnotebook；twiceheputhispencilinhismouth，andoncehedippeditinthetreacle。
　　Picklesbarkedtillhewashoarse。Butstillthepolicemantooknonotice。Hehadbeadeyes，andhishelmetwassewedonwithstitches。
　　Afteratimetheyheardanoiseintheshop，asifsomethinghadbeenpushedinatthedoor。Theycameoutofthebackparlor。Therewasanenvelopelyingonthecounter，andapolicemanwritinginanotebook!
　　Atlengthonhislastlittlerush——Picklesfoundthattheshopwasempty。Thepolicemanhaddisappeared。
　　Buttheenveloperemained。
　　"Doyouthinkthathehasgonetofetchareallivepoliceman？
　　Iamafraiditisasummons，"
　　saidPickles。
　　"No，"repliedGinger，whohadopenedtheenvelope，"itistheratesandtaxes，3pounds19
　　113/4。"[poundsareBritishmoney，the19isschillings，andthenpence]
　　"Thisisthelaststraw，"saidPickles，"letusclosetheshop。"
　　Theyputuptheshutters，andleft。Buttheyhavenotremovedfromtheneighborhood。
　　Infactsomepeoplewishtheyhadgonefurther。
　　Gingerislivinginthewarren[gamepreserveforrabbits]。
　　Idonotknowwhatoccupationhepursues；helooksstoutandcomfortable。
　　Picklesisatpresentagame—
　　keeper。
　　AfteratimeMr。JohnDormouseandhisdaughterbegantosellpeppermintsandcandles。
　　Buttheydidnotkeep"self—
　　fittingsixes"；andittakesfivemicetocarryoneseveninchcandle。
　　Theclosingoftheshopcausedgreatinconvenience。
　　TabithaTwitchitimmediatelyraisedthepriceofeverythingahalfpenny；andshecontinuedtorefusetogivecredit。
　　Ofcoursetherearethetradesmen’scarts——thebutcher，thefishmanandTimothyBaker。
　　Butapersoncannotliveon"seedwigs"andspongecakeandbutterbuns——notevenwhenthespongecakeisasgoodasTimothy’s!
　　AndMissDormouserefusedtotakebacktheendswhentheywerebroughtbacktoherwithcomplaints。
　　AndwhenMr。JohnDormousewascomplainedto，hestayedinbed，andwouldsaynothingbut"verysnug；"
　　whichisnotthewaytocarryonaretailbusiness。
　　Besides——thecandleswhichtheysellbehaveverystrangelyinwarmweather。
　　SoeverybodywaspleasedwhenSallyHennyPennysentoutaprintedpostertosaythatshewasgoingtoreopentheshop——"Henny’sOpeningSale!GrandcooperativeJumble!
　　Penny’spennyprices!
　　Comebuy，cometry，comebuy!"
　　Theposterreallywasmost’ticing。
　　Therewasarushupontheopeningday。Theshopwascrammedwithcustomers，andtherewerecrowdsofmiceuponthebiscuitcannisters。
　　SallyHennyPennygetsratherflusteredwhenshetriestocountoutchange，andsheinsistsonbeingpaidcash；butsheisquiteharmless。
　　Andshehaslaidinaremarkableassortmentofbargains。
　　Thereissomethingtopleaseeverybody。