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The Great Big Treasury of Beatrix Potter
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CONTENTS

THETALEOFPETERRABBIT

THETAILOROFGLOUCESTER

THETALEOFSQUIRRELNUTKIN

THETALEOFBENJAMINBUNNY

THETALEOFTWOBADMICE

THETALEOFMRS。TIGGY—WINKLE

THEPIEANDTHEPATTY—PAN

THETALEOFMR。JEREMYFISHER

THESTORYOFAFIERCEBADRABBIT

THESTORYOFMISSMOPPET

THETALEOFTOMKITTEN

THETALEOFJEMIMAPUDDLE—DUCK

THEROLY—POLYPUDDING

THETALEOFTHEFLOPSYBUNNIES

THETALEOFMRS。TITTLEMOUSE

THETALEOFTIMMYTIPTOES

THETALEOFMR。TOD

THETALEOFPIGLINGBLAND

GINGERANDPICKLES

THETALEOF

PETERRABBIT

OnceuponatimetherewerefourlittleRabbits,andtheirnameswere——

Flopsy,Mopsy,Cotton—tail,andPeter。

TheylivedwiththeirMotherinasand—bank,underneaththerootofaverybigfir—tree。

"Now,mydears,"saidoldMrs。

Rabbitonemorning,"youmaygointothefieldsordownthelane,butdon’tgointoMr。McGregor’sgarden:yourFatherhadanaccidentthere;hewasputinapiebyMrs。McGregor。"

"Nowrunalong,anddon’tgetintomischief。Iamgoingout。"

ThenoldMrs。Rabbittookabasketandherumbrella,andwentthroughthewoodtothebaker’s。Sheboughtaloafofbrownbreadandfivecurrantbuns。

Flopsy,Mopsy,andCotton—tail,whoweregoodlittlebunnies,wentdownthelanetogatherblackberries;

ButPeter,whowasverynaughty,ranstraightawaytoMr。McGregor’sgarden,andsqueezedunderthegate!

FirstheatesomelettucesandsomeFrenchbeans;andthenheatesomeradishes;

Andthen,feelingrathersick,hewenttolookforsomeparsley。

Butroundtheendofacucumberframe,whomshouldhemeetbutMr。

McGregor!

Mr。McGregorwasonhishandsandkneesplantingoutyoungcabbages,buthejumpedupandranafterPeter,wavingarakeandcallingout,"Stopthief。"

Peterwasmostdreadfullyfrightened;herushedalloverthegarden,forhehadforgottenthewaybacktothegate。

Helostoneofhisshoesamongthecabbages,andtheothershoeamongstthepotatoes。

Afterlosingthem,heranonfourlegsandwentfaster,sothatIthinkhemighthavegotawayaltogetherifhehadnotunfortunatelyrunintoagooseberrynet,andgotcaughtbythelargebuttonsonhisjacket。Itwasabluejacketwithbrassbuttons,quitenew。

Petergavehimselfupforlost,andshedbigtears;buthissobswereoverheardbysomefriendlysparrows,whoflewtohimingreatexcitement,andimploredhimtoexerthimself。

Mr。McGregorcameupwithasieve,whichheintendedtopopuponthetopofPeter;butPeterwriggledoutjustintime,leavinghisjacketbehindhim。

Andrushedintothetoolshed,andjumpedintoacan。Itwouldhavebeenabeautifulthingtohidein,ifithadnothadsomuchwaterinit。

Mr。McGregorwasquitesurethatPeterwassomewhereinthetoolshed,perhapshiddenunderneathaflower—

pot。Hebegantoturnthemovercarefully,lookingundereach。

PresentlyPetersneezed——

"Kertyschoo!"Mr。McGregorwasafterhiminnotime,AndtriedtoputhisfootuponPeter,whojumpedoutofawindow,upsettingthreeplants。ThewindowwastoosmallforMr。McGregor,andhewastiredofrunningafterPeter。Hewentbacktohiswork。

Petersatdowntorest;hewasoutofbreathandtremblingwithfright,andhehadnottheleastideawhichwaytogo。Alsohewasverydampwithsittinginthatcan。

Afteratimehebegantowanderabout,goinglippity——lippity——notveryfast,andlookingallaround。

Hefoundadoorinawall;butitwaslocked,andtherewasnoroomforafatlittlerabbittosqueezeunderneath。

Anoldmousewasrunninginandoutoverthestonedoorstep,carryingpeasandbeanstoherfamilyinthewood。Peteraskedherthewaytothegate,butshehadsuchalargepeainhermouththatshecouldnotanswer。

Sheonlyshookherheadathim。Peterbegantocry。

Thenhetriedtofindhiswaystraightacrossthegarden,buthebecamemoreandmorepuzzled。

Presently,hecametoapondwhereMr。McGregorfilledhiswater—cans。A

whitecatwasstaringatsomegoldfish;shesatvery,verystill,butnowandthenthetipofhertailtwitchedasifitwerealive。Peterthoughtitbesttogoawaywithoutspeakingtoher;hehasheardaboutcatsfromhiscousin,littleBenjaminBunny。

Hewentbacktowardsthetoolshed,butsuddenly,quiteclosetohim,heheardthenoiseofahoe——scr—

r—ritch,scratch,scratch,scritch。Peterscutteredunderneaththebushes。Butpresently,asnothinghappened,hecameout,andclimbeduponawheelbarrow,andpeepedover。ThefirstthinghesawwasMr。McGregorhoeingonions。HisbackwasturnedtowardsPeter,andbeyondhimwasthegate!

Petergotdownveryquietlyoffthewheelbarrow,andstartedrunningasfastashecouldgo,alongastraightwalkbehindsomeblack—currantbushes。

Mr。McGregorcaughtsightofhimatthecorner,butPeterdidnotcare。

Heslippedunderneaththegate,andwassafeatlastinthewoodoutsidethegarden。

Mr。McGregorhungupthelittlejacketandtheshoesforascare—crowtofrightentheblackbirds。

Peterneverstoppedrunningorlookedbehindhimtillhegothometothebigfir—tree。

Hewassotiredthathefloppeddownuponthenicesoftsandontheflooroftherabbit—hole,andshuthiseyes。Hismotherwasbusycooking;

shewonderedwhathehaddonewithhisclothes。ItwasthesecondlittlejacketandpairofshoesthatPeterhadlostinafortnight!

IamsorrytosaythatPeterwasnotverywellduringtheevening。

Hismotherputhimtobed,andmadesomecamomiletea;andshegaveadoseofittoPeter!

"Onetable—spoonfultobetakenatbed—time。"

ButFlopsy,Mopsy,andCotton—tailhadbreadandmilkandblackberriesforsupper。

THETAILOROF

GLOUCESTER

"I’llbeatchargesforalooking—glass;

Andentertainascoreortwooftailors。"

[RichardIII]

MyDearFreda:

Becauseyouarefondoffailytales,andhavebeenill,I

havemadeyouastoryallforyourself——anewonethatnobodyhasreadbefore。

Andthequeerestthingaboutitis——thatIhearditinGloucestershire,andthatitistrue——atleastaboutthetailor,thewaistcoat,andthe"Nomoretwist!"

_Christmas_

Inthetimeofswordsandperiwigsandfull—skirtedcoatswithfloweredlappets——whengentlemenworeruffles,andgold—lacedwaistcoatsofpaduasoyandtaffeta——therelivedatailorinGloucester。

HesatinthewindowofalittleshopinWestgateStreet,cross—leggedonatablefrommorningtilldark。

Alldaylongwhilethelightlastedhesewedandsnippetted,piecingouthissatin,andpompadour,andlutestring;stuffshadstrangenames,andwereveryexpensiveinthedaysoftheTailorofGloucester。

Butalthoughhesewedfinesilkforhisneighbours,hehimselfwasvery,verypoor。Hecuthiscoatswithoutwaste;accordingtohisembroideredcloth,theywereverysmallendsandsnippetsthatlayaboutuponthetable——"Toonarrowbreadthsfornought——exceptwaistcoatsformice,"

saidthetailor。

OnebittercolddaynearChristmastimethetailorbegantomakeacoat(acoatofcherry—

colouredcordedsilkembroideredwithpansiesandroses)andacream—

colouredsatinwaistcoatfortheMayorofGloucester。

Thetailorworkedandworked,andhetalkedtohimself:"Nobreadthatall,andcutonthecross;itisnobreadthatall;tippetsformiceandribbonsformobs!formice!"saidtheTailorofGloucester。

Whenthesnow—flakescamedownagainstthesmallleadedwindow—

panesandshutoutthelight,thetailorhaddonehisday’swork;allthesilkandsatinlaycutoutuponthetable。

Thereweretwelvepiecesforthecoatandfourpiecesforthewaistcoat;

andtherewerepocket—flapsandcuffsandbuttons,allinorder。Fortheliningofthecoattherewasfineyellowtaffeta,andforthebutton—

holesofthewaistcoattherewascherry—colouredtwist。Andeverythingwasreadytosewtogetherinthemorning,allmeasuredandsufficient——exceptthattherewaswantingjustonesingleskeinofcherry—colouredtwistedsilk。

Thetailorcameoutofhisshopatdark。Noonelivedthereatnightsbutlittlebrownmice,andTHEYraninandoutwithoutanykeys!

ForbehindthewoodenwainscotsofalltheoldhousesinGloucester,therearelittlemousestaircasesandsecrettrap—doors;andthemicerunfromhousetohousethroughthoselong,narrowpassages。

Butthetailorcameoutofhisshopandshuffledhomethroughthesnow。

Andalthoughitwasnotabighouse,thetailorwassopoorheonlyrentedthekitchen。

Helivedalonewithhiscat;itwascalledSimpkin。

"Miaw?"saidthecatwhenthetailoropenedthedoor,"miaw?"

Thetailorreplied:"Simpkin,weshallmakeourfortune,butIamworntoaravelling。Takethisgroat(whichisourlastfourpence),and,Simpkin,takeachinapipkin,butapenn’orthofbread,apenn’orthofmilk,andapenn’orthofsausages。

Andoh,Simpkin,withthelastpennyofourfourpencebutmeonepenn’orthofcherry—colouredsilk。Butdonotlosethelastpennyofthefourpence,Simpkin,orIamundoneandworntoathread—paper,forI

haveNOMORETWIST。"

ThenSimpkinagainsaid"Miaw!"

andtookthegroatandthepipkin,andwentoutintothedark。

Thetailorwasverytiredandbeginningtobeill。Hesatdownbythehearthandtalkedtohimselfaboutthatwonderfulcoat。

"Ishallmakemyfortune——tobecutbias——theMayorofGloucesteristobemarriedonChristmasDayinthemorning,andhehathorderedacoatandanembroideredwaistcoat——"

Thenthetailorstarted;forsuddenly,interruptinghim,fromthedresserattheothersideofthekitchencameanumberoflittlenoises——

Tiptap,tiptap,tiptaptip!

"Nowwhatcanthatbe?"saidtheTailorofGloucester,jumpingupfromhischair。Thetailorcrossedthekitchen,andstoodquitestillbesidethedresser,listening,andpeeringthroughhisspectacles。

"Thisisverypeculiar,"saidtheTailorofGloucester,andheliftedupthetea—cupwhichwasupsidedown。

Outsteppedalittleliveladymouse,andmadeacourtesytothetailor!

Thenshehoppedawaydownoffthedresser,andunderthewainscot。

Thetailorsatdownagainbythefire,warminghispoorcoldhands。

Butallatonce,fromthedresser,therecameotherlittlenoises——

Tiptap,tiptap,tiptaptip!

"Thisispassingextraordinary!"

saidtheTailorofGloucester,andturnedoveranothertea—cup,whichwasupsidedown。

Outsteppedalittlegentlemanmouse,andmadeabowtothetailor!

Andoutfromundertea—cupsandfromunderbowlsandbasins,steppedotherandmorelittlemice,whohoppedawaydownoffthedresserandunderthewainscot。

Thetailorsatdown,closeoverthefire,lamenting:"One—and—twentybuttonholesofcherry—colouredsilk!

TobefinishedbynoonofSaturday:

andthisisTuesdayevening。Wasitrighttoletloosethosemice,undoubtedlythepropertyofSimpkin?

Alack,Iamundone,forIhavenomoretwist!"

Thelittlemicecameoutagainandlistenedtothetailor;theytooknoticeofthepatternofthatwonderfulcoat。

Theywhisperedtooneanotheraboutthetaffetaliningandaboutlittlemousetippets。

Andthensuddenlytheyallranawaytogetherdownthepassagebehindthewainscot,squeakingandcallingtooneanotherastheyranfromhousetohouse。

Notonemousewasleftinthetailor’skitchenwhenSimpkincameback。Hesetdownthepipkinofmilkuponthedresser,andlookedsuspiciouslyatthetea—cups。Hewantedhissupperoflittlefatmouse!

"Simpkin,"saidthetailor,"whereismyTWIST?"

ButSimpkinhidalittleparcelprivatelyinthetea—pot,andspitandgrowledatthetailor;andifSimpkinhadbeenabletotalk,hewouldhaveasked:"WhereismyMOUSE?"

"Alack,Iamundone!"saidtheTailorofGloucester,andwentsadlytobed。

AllthatnightlongSimpkinhuntedandsearchedthroughthekitchen,peepingintocupboardsandunderthewainscot,andintothetea—potwherehehadhiddenthattwist;butstillhefoundneveramouse!

Thepooroldtailorwasveryillwithafever,tossingandturninginhisfour—postbed;andstillinhisdreamshemumbled:"Nomoretwist!nomoretwist!"

Whatshouldbecomeofthecherry—

colouredcoat?Whoshouldcometosewit,whenthewindowwasbarred,andthedoorwasfastlocked?

Out—of—doorsthemarketfolkswenttrudgingthroughthesnowtobuytheirgeeseandturkeys,andtobaketheirChristmaspies;buttherewouldbenodinnerforSimpkinandthepooroldtailorofGloucester。

Thetailorlayillforthreedaysandnights;andthenitwasChristmasEve,andverylateatnight。AndstillSimpkinwantedhismice,andmewedashestoodbesidethefour—postbed。

ButitisintheoldstorythatallthebeastscantalkinthenightbetweenChristmasEveandChristmasDayinthemorning(thoughthereareveryfewfolkthatcanhearthem,orknowwhatitisthattheysay)。

WhentheCathedralclockstrucktwelvetherewasananswer——likeanechoofthechimes——andSimpkinheardit,andcameoutofthetailor’sdoor,andwanderedaboutinthesnow。

FromalltheroofsandgablesandoldwoodenhousesinGloucestercameathousandmerryvoicessingingtheoldChristmasrhymes——alltheoldsongsthateverIheardof,andsomethatIdon’tknow,likeWhittington’sbells。

UnderthewoodeneavesthestarlingsandsparrowssangofChristmaspies;thejackdawswokeupintheCathedraltower;andalthoughitwasthemiddleofthenightthethrostlesandrobinssang;andairwasquitefulloflittletwitteringtunes。

ButitwasallratherprovokingtopoorhungrySimpkin。

Fromthetailor’sshipinWestgatecameaglowoflight;andwhenSimpkincreptuptopeepinatthewindowitwasfullofcandles。Therewasasnippetingofscissors,andsnappetingofthread;andlittlemousevoicessangloudlyandgaily:

"Four—and—twentytailorsWenttocatchasnail,ThebestmanamongstthemDurstnottouchhertail;

SheputoutherhornsLikealittlekyloecow。

Run,tailors,run!

Orshe’llhaveyoualle’ennow!"

Thenwithoutapausethelittlemousevoiceswentonagain:

"Sievemylady’soatmeal,Grindmylady’sflour,Putitinachestnut,Letitstandanhour——"

"Mew!Mew!"interruptedSimpkin,andhescratchedatthedoor。Butthekeywasunderthetailor’spillow;hecouldnotgetin。

Thelittlemiceonlylaughed,andtriedanothertune——

"Threelittlemicesatdowntospin,Pussypassedbyandshepeepedin。

Whatareyouat,myfinelittlemen?

Makingcoatsforgentlemen。

ShallIcomeinandcutoffyoursthreads?

Oh,no,MissPussy,You’dbiteoffourheads!"

"Mew!scratch!scratch!"scuffledSimpkinonthewindow—sill;whilethelittlemiceinsidesprangtotheirfeet,andallbegantoshoutallatonceinlittletwitteringvoices:"Nomoretwist!Nomoretwist!"Andtheybarredupthewindow—shuttersandshutoutSimpkin。

Simpkincameawayfromtheshopandwenthomeconsideringinhismind。Hefoundthepooroldtailorwithoutfever,sleepingpeacefully。

ThenSimpkinwentontip—toeandtookalittleparcelofsilkoutofthetea—pot;andlookedatitinthemoonlight;andhefeltquiteashamedofhisbadnesscomparedwiththosegoodlittlemice!

Whenthetailorawokeinthemorning,thefirstthingwhichhesaw,uponthepatchworkquilt,wasaskeinofcherry—colouredtwistedsilk,andbesidehisbedstoodtherepentantSimpkin!

Thesunwasshiningonthesnowwhenthetailorgotupanddressed,andcameoutintothestreetwithSimpkinrunningbeforehim。

"Alack,"saidthetailor,"Ihavemytwist;butnomorestrength——nortime——thanwillservetomakemeonesinglebuttonhole;forthisisChristmasDayintheMorning!TheMayorofGloucestershallbemarriedbynoon——andwhereishischerry—

colouredcoat?"

HeunlockedthedoorofthelittleshopinWestgateStreet,andSimpkinranin,likeacatthatexpectssomething。

Buttherewasnoonethere!Notevenonelittlebrownmouse!

Butuponthetable——ohjoy!thetailorgaveashout——there,wherehehadleftplaincuttingsofsilk——therelaythemostbeautifulcoatandembroideredsatinwaistcoatthateverwerewornbyaMayorofGloucester!

Everythingwasfinishedexceptjustonesinglecherry—colouredbuttonhole,andwherethatbuttonholewaswantingtherewaspinnedascrapofpaperwiththesewords——inlittleteenyweenywriting——

NOMORETWIST。

AndfromthenbegantheluckoftheTailorofGloucester;hegrewquitestout,andhegrewquiterich。

HemadethemostwonderfulwaistcoatsforalltherichmerchantsofGloucester,andforallthefinegentlemenofthecountryround。

Neverwereseensuchruffles,orsuchembroideredcuffsandlappets!

Buthisbuttonholeswerethegreatesttriumphofitall。

Thestitchesofthosebuttonholesweresoneat——SOneat——Iwonderhowtheycouldbestitchedbyanoldmaninspectacles,withcrookedoldfingers,andatailor’sthimble。

Thestitchesofthosebuttonholesweresosmall——SOsmall——theylookedasiftheyhadbeenmadebylittlemice!

THETALEOF

SQUIRRELNUTKIN

[AStoryforNorah]

ThisisaTaleaboutatail——atailthatbelongedtoalittleredsquirrel,andhisnamewasNutkin。

HehadabrothercalledTwinkleberry,andagreatmanycousins:theylivedinawoodattheedgeofalake。

Inthemiddleofthelakethereisanislandcoveredwithtreesandnutbushes;andamongstthosetreesstandsahollowoak—tree,whichisthehouseofanowlwhoiscalledOldBrown。

Oneautumnwhenthenutswereripe,andtheleavesonthehazelbushesweregoldenandgreen——

NutkinandTwinkleberryandalltheotherlittlesquirrelscameoutofthewood,anddowntotheedgeofthelake。

Theymadelittleraftsoutoftwigs,andtheypaddledawayoverthewatertoOwlIslandtogathernuts。

Eachsquirrelhadalittlesackandalargeoar,andspreadouthistailforasail。

TheyalsotookwiththemanofferingofthreefatmiceasapresentforOldBrown,andputthemdownuponhisdoor—step。

ThenTwinkleberryandtheotherlittlesquirrelseachmadealowbow,andsaidpolitely——

"OldMr。Brown,willyoufavouruswithpermissiontogathernutsuponyourisland?"

ButNutkinwasexcessivelyimpertinentinhismanners。HebobbedupanddownlikealittleredCHERRY,singing——

"Riddleme,riddleme,rot—tot—tote!

Alittleweeman,inaredredcoat!

Astaffinhishand,andastoneinhisthroat;

Ifyou’lltellmethisriddle,I’llgiveyouagroat。"

Nowthisriddleisasoldasthehills;

Mr。BrownpaidnoattentionwhatevertoNutkin。

Heshuthiseyesobstinatelyandwenttosleep。

Thesquirrelsfilledtheirlittlesackswithnuts,andsailedawayhomeintheevening。

ButnextmorningtheyallcamebackagaintoOwlIsland;andTwinkleberryandtheothersbroughtafinefatmole,andlaiditonthestoneinfrontofOldBrown’sdoorway,andsaid——

"Mr。Brown,willyoufavouruswithyourgraciouspermissiontogathersomemorenuts?"

ButNutkin,whohadnorespect,begantodanceupanddown,ticklingoldMr。BrownwithaNETTLEandsinging——

"OldMr。B!Riddle—me—ree!

HittyPittywithinthewall,HittyPittywithoutthewall;

IfyoutouchHittyPitty,HittyPittywillbiteyou!"

Mr。Brownwokeupsuddenlyandcarriedthemoleintohishouse。

HeshutthedoorinNutkin’sface。

PresentlyalittlethreadofblueSMOKE

fromawoodfirecameupfromthetopofthetree,andNutkinpeepedthroughthekey—holeandsang——

"Ahousefull,aholefull!

Andyoucannotgatherabowl—full!"

Thesquirrelssearchedfornutsallovertheislandandfilledtheirlittlesacks。

ButNutkingatheredoak—apples——

yellowandscarlet——andsatuponabeech—stumpplayingmarbles,andwatchingthedoorofoldMr。Brown。

Onthethirddaythesquirrelsgotupveryearlyandwentfishing;theycaughtsevenfatminnowsasapresentforOldBrown。

TheypaddledoverthelakeandlandedunderacrookedchestnuttreeonOwlIsland。

Twinkleberryandsixotherlittlesquirrelseachcarriedafatminnow;

butNutkin,whohadnonicemanners,broughtnopresentatall。

Heraninfront,singing——

"Themaninthewildernesssaidtome,`Howmaystrawberriesgrowinthesea?’

IansweredhimasIthoughtgood——

`Asmanyredherringsasgrowinthewood。"’

ButoldMr。Browntooknointerestinriddles——notevenwhentheanswerwasprovidedforhim。

Onthefourthdaythesquirrelsbroughtapresentofsixfatbeetles,whichwereasgoodasplumsinPLUM—PUDDINGforOldBrown。Eachbeetlewaswrappedupcarefullyinadockleaf,fastenedwithapine—needle—

pin。

ButNutkinsangasrudelyasever——

"OldMr。B!riddle—me—ree!

FlourofEngland,fruitofSpain,Mettogetherinashowerofrain;

Putinabagtiedroundwithastring,Ifyou’lltellmethisriddle,I’llgiveyouaring!"

WhichwasridiculousofNutkin,becausehehadnotgotanyringtogivetoOldBrown。

Theothersquirrelshuntedupanddownthenutbushes;butNutkingatheredrobin’spin—cushionsoffabriarbush,andstuckthemfullofpine—needle—pins。

Onthefifthdaythesquirrelsbroughtapresentofwildhoney;itwassosweetandstickythattheylickedtheirfingersastheyputitdownuponthestone。TheyhadstolenitoutofabumbleBEES’nestonthetippitytopofthehill。

ButNutkinskippedupanddown,singing——

"Hum—a—bum!buzz!buzz!Hum—a—bumbuzz!

AsIwentoverTipple—tineImetaflockofbonnyswine;

Someyellow—nacked,someyellowbacked!

TheyweretheverybonniestswineThate’erwentovertheTipple—tine。"

OldMr。BrownturneduphiseyesindisgustattheimpertinenceofNutkin。

Butheateupthehoney!

Thesquirrelsfilledtheirlittlesackswithnuts。

ButNutkinsatuponabigflatrock,andplayedninepinswithacrabappleandgreenfir—cones。

Onthesixthday,whichwasSaturday,thesquirrelscameagainforthelasttime;theybroughtanew—laidEGGinalittlerushbasketasalastpartingpresentforOldBrown。

ButNutkinraninfrontlaughing,andshouting——

"HumptyDumptyliesinthebeck,Withawhitecounterpaneroundhisneck,Fortydoctorsandfortywrights,CannotputHumptyDumptytorights!"

NowoldMr。Browntookaninterestineggs;heopenedoneeyeandshutitagain。Butstillhedidnotspeak。

Nutkinbecamemoreandmoreimpertinent——

"OldMr。B!OldMr。B!

Hickamore,Hackamore,ontheKing’skitchendoor;

AlltheKing’shorses,andalltheKing’smen,Couldn’tdriveHickamore,Hackamore,OfftheKing’skitchendoor!"

NutkindancedupanddownlikeaSUNBEAM;butstillOldBrownsaidnothingatall。

Nutkinbeganagain——

"AuthurO’Bowerhasbrokenhisband,Hecomesroaringuptheland!

TheKingofScotswithallhispower,CannotturnArthuroftheBower!"

NutkinmadeawhirringnoisetosoundliketheWIND,andhetookarunningjumprightontotheheadofOldBrown!……

Thenallatoncetherewasafluttermentandascufflementandaloud"Squeak!"

Theothersquirrelsscutteredawayintothebushes。

Whentheycamebackverycautiously,peepingroundthetree——

therewasOldBrownsittingonhisdoor—step,quitestill,withhiseyesclosed,asifnothinghadhappened。

********

BUTNUTKINWASINHISWAISTCOATPOCKET!

Thislooksliketheendofthestory;

butitisn’t。

OldBrowncarriedNutkinintohishouse,andheldhimupbythetail,intendingtoskinhim;butNutkinpulledsoveryhardthathistailbrokeintwo,andhedashedupthestaircase,andescapedoutoftheatticwindow。

Andtothisday,ifyoumeetNutkinupatreeandaskhimariddle,hewillthrowsticksatyou,andstamphisfeetandscold,andshout——

"Cuck—cuck—cuck—cur—r—r—cuck—k!"

THETALEOF

BENJAMINBUNNY

[FortheChildrenofSawreyfromOldMr。Bunny]

Onemorningalittlerabbitsatonabank。

Heprickedhisearsandlistenedtothetrit—trot,trit—trotofapony。

Agigwascomingalongtheroad;itwasdrivenbyMr。McGregor,andbesidehimsatMrs。McGregorinherbestbonnet。

Assoonastheyhadpassed,littleBenjaminBunnysliddownintotheroad,andsetoff——withahop,skip,andajump——tocalluponhisrelations,wholivedinthewoodatthebackofMr。McGregor’sgarden。

Thatwoodwasfullofrabbitholes;

andintheneatest,sandiestholeofalllivedBenjamin’sauntandhiscousins——Flopsy,Mopsy,Cotton—tail,andPeter。

OldMrs。Rabbitwasawidow;sheearnedherlivingbyknittingrabbit—woolmittensandmuffatees(I

onceboughtapairatabazaar)。Shealsosoldherbs,androsemarytea,andrabbit—tobacco(whichiswhatwecalllavender)。

LittleBenjamindidnotverymuchwanttoseehisAunt。

Hecameroundthebackofthefir—

tree,andnearlytumbleduponthetopofhisCousinPeter。

Peterwassittingbyhimself。Helookedpoorly,andwasdressedinaredcottonpocket—handkerchief。

"Peter,"saidlittleBenjamin,inawhisper,"whohasgotyourclothes?"

Peterreplied,"ThescarecrowinMr。

McGregor’sgarden,"anddescribedhowhehadbeenchasedaboutthegarden,andhaddroppedhisshoesandcoat。

LittleBenjaminsatdownbesidehiscousinandassuredhimthatMr。

McGregorhadgoneoutinagig,andMrs。McGregoralso;andcertainlyfortheday,becauseshewaswearingherbestbonnet。

Petersaidhehopedthatitwouldrain。

AtthispointoldMrs。Rabbit’svoicewasheardinsidetherabbithole,calling:"Cotton—tail!Cotton—tail!fetchsomemorecamomile!"

Petersaidhethoughthemightfeelbetterifhewentforawalk。

Theywentawayhandinhand,andgotupontheflattopofthewallatthebottomofthewood。FromheretheylookeddownintoMr。McGregor’sgarden。Peter’scoatandshoeswereplainlytobeseenuponthescarecrow,toppedwithanoldtam—o’—shanterofMr。McGregor’s。

LittleBenjaminsaid:"Itspoilspeople’sclothestosqueezeunderagate;theproperwaytogetinistoclimbdownapear—tree。"

Peterfelldownheadfirst;butitwasofnoconsequence,asthebedbelowwasnewlyrakedandquitesoft。

Ithadbeensownwithlettuces。

Theyleftagreatmanyoddlittlefootmarksalloverthebed,especiallylittleBenjamin,whowaswearingclogs。

LittleBenjaminsaidthatthefirstthingtobedonewastogetbackPeter’sclothes,inorderthattheymightbeabletousethepocket—

handkerchief。

Theytookthemoffthescarecrow。

Therehadbeenrainduringthenight;

therewaswaterintheshoes,andthecoatwassomewhatshrunk。

Benjamintriedonthetam—o’—

shanter,butitwastoobigforhim。

Thenhesuggestedthattheyshouldfillthepocket—handkerchiefwithonions,asalittlepresentforhisAunt。

Peterdidnotseemtobeenjoyinghimself;hekepthearingnoises。

Benjamin,onthecontrary,wasperfectlyathome,andatealettuceleaf。HesaidthathewasinthehabitofcomingtothegardenwithhisfathertogetlettucesfortheirSundaydinner。

(ThenameoflittleBenjamin’spapawasoldMr。BenjaminBunny。)

Thelettucescertainlywereveryfine。

Peterdidnoteatanything;hesaidheshouldliketogohome。Presentlyhedroppedhalftheonions。

LittleBenjaminsaidthatitwasnotpossibletogetbackupthepear—treewithaloadofvegetables。Heledthewayboldlytowardstheotherendofthegarden。Theywentalongalittlewalkonplanks,underasunny,redbrickwall。

Themicesatontheirdoorstepscrackingcherry—stones;theywinkedatPeterRabbitandlittleBenjaminBunny。

PresentlyPeterletthepocket—

handkerchiefgoagain。

Theygotamongstflower—pots,andframes,andtubs。Peterheardnoisesworsethanever;hiseyeswereasbigaslolly—pops!

Hewasasteportwoinfrontofhiscousinwhenhesuddenlystopped。

Thisiswhatthoselittlerabbitssawroundthatcorner!

LittleBenjamintookonelook,andthen,inhalfaminutelessthannotime,hehidhimselfandPeterandtheonionsunderneathalargebasket……

Thecatgotupandstretchedherself,andcameandsniffedatthebasket。

Perhapsshelikedthesmellofonions!

Anyway,shesatdownuponthetopofthebasket。

ShesatthereforFIVEHOURS。

IcannotdrawyouapictureofPeterandBenjaminunderneaththebasket,becauseitwasquitedark,andbecausethesmellofonionswasfearful;itmadePeterRabbitandlittleBenjamincry。

Thesungotroundbehindthewood,anditwasquitelateintheafternoon;butstillthecatsatuponthebasket。

Atlengththerewasapitter—patter,pitter—patter,andsomebitsofmortarfellfromthewallabove。

ThecatlookedupandsawoldMr。

BenjaminBunnyprancingalongthetopofthewalloftheupperterrace。

Hewassmokingapipeofrabbit—

tobacco,andhadalittleswitchinhishand。

Hewaslookingforhisson。

OldMr。Bunnyhadnoopinionwhateverofcats。Hetookatremendousjumpoffthetopofthewallontothetopofthecat,andcuffeditoffthebasket,andkickeditintothegreenhouse,scratchingoffahandfuloffur。

Thecatwastoomuchsurprisedtoscratchback。

WhenoldMr。Bunnyhaddriventhecatintothegreenhouse,helockedthedoor。

ThenhecamebacktothebasketandtookouthissonBenjaminbytheears,andwhippedhimwiththelittleswitch。

ThenhetookouthisnephewPeter。

Thenhetookoutthehandkerchiefofonions,andmarchedoutofthegarden。

WhenMr。McGregorreturnedabouthalfanhourlaterheobservedseveralthingswhichperplexedhim。

Itlookedasthoughsomepersonhadbeenwalkingalloverthegardeninapairofclogs——onlythefootmarksweretooridiculouslylittle!

AlsohecouldnotunderstandhowthecatcouldhavemanagedtoshutherselfupINSIDEthegreenhouse,lockingthedoorupontheOUTSIDE。

WhenPetergothomehismotherforgavehim,becauseshewassogladtoseethathehadfoundhisshoesandcoat。Cotton—tailandPeterfoldedupthepocket—handkerchief,andoldMrs。

Rabbitstrunguptheonionsandhungthemfromthekitchenceiling,withthebenchesofherbsandtherabbit—

tobacco。

THETALEOF

TWOBADMICE

[ForW。M。L。W。,theLittleGirlWhoHadtheDoll’sHouse]

Onceuponatimetherewasaverybeautifuldoll’s—house;itwasredbrickwithwhitewindows,andithadrealmuslincurtainsandafrontdoorandachimney。

ItbelongedtotwoDollscalledLucindaandJane;atleastitbelongedtoLucinda,butsheneverorderedmeals。

JanewastheCook;butsheneverdidanycooking,becausethedinnerhadbeenboughtready—made,inaboxfullofshavings。

Thereweretworedlobstersandaham,afish,apudding,andsomepearsandoranges。

Theywouldnotcomeofftheplates,buttheywereextremelybeautiful。

OnemorningLucindaandJanehadgoneoutforadriveinthedoll’sperambulator。Therewasnooneinthenursery,anditwasveryquiet。

Presentlytherewasalittlescuffling,scratchingnoiseinacornernearthefireplace,wheretherewasaholeundertheskirting—board。

TomThumbputouthisheadforamoment,andthenpoppeditinagain。

TomThumbwasamouse。

Aminuteafterwards,HuncaMunca,hiswife,putherheadout,too;andwhenshesawthattherewasnooneinthenursery,sheventuredoutontheoilclothunderthecoal—box。

Thedoll’s—housestoodattheothersideofthefire—place。TomThumbandHuncaMuncawentcautiouslyacrossthehearthrug。Theypushedthefrontdoor——itwasnotfast。

TomThumbandHuncaMuncawentupstairsandpeepedintothedining—room。Thentheysqueakedwithjoy!

Suchalovelydinnerwaslaidoutuponthetable!Thereweretinspoons,andleadknivesandforks,andtwodolly—chairs——allSO

convenient!

TomThumbsettoworkatoncetocarvetheham。Itwasabeautifulshinyyellow,streakedwithred。

Theknifecrumpledupandhurthim;heputhisfingerinhismouth。

"Itisnotboiledenough;itishard。

Youhaveatry,HuncaMunca。"

HuncaMuncastoodupinherchair,andchoppedatthehamwithanotherleadknife。

"It’sashardasthehamsatthecheesemonger’s,"saidHuncaMunca。

Thehambrokeofftheplatewithajerk,androlledunderthetable。

"Letitalone,"saidTomThumb;

"givemesomefish,HuncaMunca!"

HuncaMuncatriedeverytinspooninturn;thefishwasgluedtothedish。

ThenTomThumblosthistemper。

Heputthehaminthemiddleofthefloor,andhititwiththetongsandwiththeshovel——bang,bang,smash,smash!

Thehamflewallintopieces,forunderneaththeshinypaintitwasmadeofnothingbutplaster!

ThentherewasnoendtotherageanddisappointmentofTomThumbandHuncaMunca。Theybrokeupthepudding,thelobsters,thepearsandtheoranges。

Asthefishwouldnotcomeofftheplate,theyputitintothered—hotcrinklypaperfireinthekitchen;butitwouldnotburneither。

TomThumbwentupthekitchenchimneyandlookedoutatthetop——

therewasnosoot。

WhileTomThumbwasupthechimney,HuncaMuncahadanotherdisappointment。Shefoundsometinycanistersuponthedresser,labelled——

Rice——Coffee——Sago——butwhensheturnedthemupsidedown,therewasnothinginsideexceptredandbluebeads。

Thenthosemicesettoworktodoallthemischieftheycould——especiallyTomThumb!HetookJane’sclothesoutofthechestofdrawersinherbedroom,andhethrewthemoutofthetopfloorwindow。

ButHuncaMuncahadafrugalmind。AfterpullinghalfthefeathersoutofLucinda’sbolster,sherememberedthatsheherselfwasinwantofafeatherbed。

WithTomThumbs’sassistanceshecarriedthebolsterdownstairs,andacrossthehearth—rug。Itwasdifficulttosqueezethebolsterintothemouse—

hole;buttheymanageditsomehow。

ThenHuncaMuncawentbackandfetchedachair,abook—case,abird—

cage,andseveralsmalloddsandends。Thebook—caseandthebird—

cagerefusedtogointothemousehole。

HuncaMuncaleftthembehindthecoal—box,andwenttofetchacradle。

HuncaMuncawasjustreturningwithanotherchair,whensuddenlytherewasanoiseoftalkingoutsideuponthelanding。Themicerushedbacktotheirhole,andthedollscameintothenursery。

WhatasightmettheeyesofJaneandLucinda!Lucindasatupontheupsetkitchenstoveandstared;andJaneleantagainstthekitchendresserandsmiled——butneitherofthemmadeanyremark。

Thebook—caseandthebird—cagewererescuedfromunderthecoal—

box——butHuncaMuncahasgotthecradle,andsomeofLucinda’sclothes。

Shealsohassomeusefulpotsandpans,andseveralotherthings。

Thelittlegirlthatthedoll’s—housebelongedto,said,——"Iwillgetadolldressedlikeapoliceman!"

Butthenursesaid,——"Iwillsetamouse—trap!"

SothatisthestoryofthetwoBadMice,——buttheywerenotsoveryverynaughtyafterall,becauseTomThumbpaidforeverythinghebroke。

Hefoundacrookedsixpenceunderthehearth—rug;anduponChristmasEve,heandHuncaMuncastuffeditintooneofthestockingsofLucindaandJane。

Andveryearlyeverymorning——

beforeanybodyisawake——HuncaMuncacomeswithherdust—panandherbroomtosweeptheDollies’house!

THETALEOF

MRS。TIGGY—WINKLE

[FortheRealLittleLucieofNewlands]

OnceuponatimetherewasalittlegirlcalledLucie,wholivedatafarmcalledLittle—town。Shewasagoodlittlegirl——onlyshewasalwayslosingherpocket—handkerchiefs!

OnedaylittleLuciecameintothefarm—yardcrying——oh,shedidcryso!

"I’velostmypocket—handkin!Threehandkinsandapinny!HaveYOUseenthem,TabbyKitten?"

TheKittenwentonwashingherwhitepaws;

soLucieaskedaspeckledhen——

"SallyHenny—penny,haveYOU

foundthreepocket—handkins?"

Butthespeckledhenranintoabarn,clucking——

"Igobarefoot,barefoot,barefoot!"

AndthenLucieaskedCockRobinsittingonatwig。CockRobinlookedsidewaysatLuciewithhisbrightblackeye,andheflewoverastileandaway。

LucieclimbeduponthestileandlookedupatthehillbehindLittle—

town——ahillthatgoesup——up——intothecloudsasthoughithadnotop!

Andagreatwayupthehillsideshethoughtshesawsomewhitethingsspreaduponthegrass。

Luciescrambledupthehillasfastashershortlegswouldcarryher;sheranalongasteeppath—way——upandup——untilLittle—townwasrightawaydownbelow——shecouldhavedroppedapebbledownthechimney!

Presentlyshecametoaspring,bubblingoutfromthehillside。

Someonehadstoodatincanuponastonetocatchthewater——butthewaterwasalreadyrunningover,forthecanwasnobiggerthananegg—

cup!Andwherethesanduponthepathwaswet——therewerefootmarksofaVERYsmallperson。

Lucieranon,andon。

Thepathendedunderabigrock。

Thegrasswasshortandgreen,andtherewereclothes—propscutfrombrackenstems,withlinesofplaitedrushes,andaheapoftinyclothespins——butnopocket—handkerchiefs!

Buttherewassomethingelse——adoor!straightintothehill;andinsideitsomeonewassinging——

"Lily—whiteandclean,oh!

Withlittlefrillsbetween,oh!

Smoothandhot—redrustyspotNeverherebeseen,oh!"

Lucieknocked—once—twice,andinterruptedthesong。Alittlefrightenedvoicecalledout"Who’sthat?"

Lucieopenedthedoor:andwhatdoyouthinktherewasinsidethehill?——anicecleankitchenwithaflaggedfloorandwoodenbeams——

justlikeanyotherfarmkitchen。OnlytheceilingwassolowthatLucie’sheadnearlytouchedit;andthepotsandpansweresmall,andsowaseverythingthere。

Therewasanicehotsingeysmell;

andatthetable,withanironinherhand,stoodaverystoutshortpersonstaringanxiouslyatLucie。

Herprintgownwastuckedup,andshewaswearingalargeapronoverherstripedpetticoat。Herlittleblacknosewentsniffle,sniffle,snuffle,andhereyeswenttwinkle,twinkle;andunderneathhercap—whereLuciehadyellowcurls—thatlittlepersonhadPRICKLES!

"Whoareyou?"saidLucie。"Haveyouseenmypocket—handkins?"

Thelittlepersonmadeabob—

curtsey——"Ohyes,ifyouplease’m;mynameisMrs。Tiggy—winkle;ohyesifyouplease’m,I’manexcellentclear—

starcher!"Andshetooksomethingoutoftheclothesbasket,andspreaditontheironing—blanket。

"What’sthatthing?"saidLucie—

"that’snotmypocket—handkin?"

"Ohno,ifyouplease’m;that’salittlescarletwaist—coatbelongingtoCockRobin!"

Andsheironeditandfoldedit,andputitononeside。

Thenshetooksomethingelseoffaclothes—horse——"Thatisn’tmypinny?"

saidLucie。

"Ohno,ifyouplease’m;that’sadamasktable—clothbelongingtoJennyWren;lookhowit’sstainedwithcurrantwine!It’sverybadtowash!"

saidMrs。Tiggy—winkle。

Mrs。Tiggy—winkle’snosewentsnifflesnifflesnuffle,andhereyeswenttwinkletwinkle;andshefetchedanotherhotironfromthefire。

"There’soneofmypocket—

handkins!"criedLucie——"andthere’smypinny!"

Mrs。Tiggy—winkleironedit,andgofferedit,andshookoutthefrills。

"OhthatISlovely!"saidLucie。

"Andwhatarethoselongyellowthingswithfingerslikegloves?"

"Ohthat’sapairofstockingsbelongingtoSallyHenny—penny——lookhowshe’sworntheheelsoutwithscratchingintheyard!She’llverysoongobarefoot!"saidMrs。Tiggy—winkle。

"Why,there’sanotherhankersniff——

butitisn’tmine;it’sred?"

"Ohno,ifyouplease’m;thatonebelongstooldMrs。Rabbit;anditDID

sosmellofonions!I’vehadtowashitseparately,Ican’tgetoutthatsmell。"

"There’sanotheroneofmine,"saidLucie。

"Whatarethosefunnylittlewhitethings?"

"That’sapairofmittensbelongingtoTabbyKitten;Ionlyhavetoironthem;shewashesthemherself。"

"There’smylastpocket—handkin!"

saidLucie。

"Andwhatareyoudippingintothebasinofstarch?"

"They’relittledickyshirt—frontsbelongingtoTomTitmouse——mostterribleparticular!"saidMrs。Tiggy—

winkle。"NowI’vefinishedmyironing;

I’mgoingtoairsomeclothes。"

"Whatarethesedearsoftfluffythings?"saidLucie。

"OhthosearewoollycoatsbelongingtothelittlelambsatSkelghyl。"

"Willtheirjacketstakeoff?"askedLucie。

"Ohyes,ifyouplease’m;lookatthesheep—markontheshoulder。Andhere’sonemarkedforGatesgarth,andthreethatcomefromLittle—town。

They’reALWAYSmarkedatwashing!"

saidMrs。Tiggy—winkle。

Andshehungupallsortsandsizesofclothes——smallbrowncoatsofmice;andonevelvetyblackmoleskinwaist—coat;andaredtail—coatwithnotailbelongingtoSquirrelNutkin;

andaverymuchshrunkbluejacketbelongingtoPeterRabbit;andapetticoat,notmarked,thathadgonelostinthewashing——andatlastthebasketwasempty!

ThenMrs。Tiggy—winklemadetea——acupforherselfandacupforLucie。Theysatbeforethefireonabenchandlookedsidewaysatoneanother。Mrs。Tiggy—winkle’shand,holdingthetea—cup,wasveryverybrown,andveryverywrinklywiththesoap—suds;andallthroughhergownandhercap,therewereHAIRPINS

stickingwrongendout;sothatLuciedidn’tliketosittoonearher。

Whentheyhadfinishedtea,theytieduptheclothesinbundles;andLucie’spocket—handkerchiefswerefoldedupinsidehercleanpinny,andfastenedwithasilversafety—pin。

Andthentheymadeupthefirewithturf,andcameoutandlockedthedoor,andhidthekeyunderthedoor—sill。

ThenawaydownthehilltrottedLucieandMrs。Tiggy—winklewiththebundlesofclothes!

Allthewaydownthepathlittleanimalscameoutoftheferntomeetthem;theveryfirstthattheymetwerePeterRabbitandBenjaminBunny!

Andshegavethemtheirnicecleanclothes;andallthelittleanimalsandbirdsweresoverymuchobligedtodearMrs。Tiggy—winkle。

Sothatatthebottomofthehillwhentheycametothestile,therewasnothinglefttocarryexceptLucie’sonelittlebundle。

Luciescrambledupthestilewiththebundleinherhand;andthensheturnedtosay"Good—night,"andtothankthewasher—woman。——ButwhataVERYoddthing!Mrs。Tiggy—winklehadnotwaitedeitherforthanksorforthewashingbill!

Shewasrunningrunningrunningupthehill——andwherewasherwhitefrilledcap?andhershawl?andhergown—andherpetticoat?

AndHOWsmallshehadgrown——

andHOWbrown——andcoveredwithPRICKLES!

Why!Mrs。Tiggy—winklewasnothingbutaHEDGEHOG!

******

(NowsomepeoplesaythatlittleLuciehadbeenasleepuponthestile——butthenhowcouldshehavefoundthreecleanpocket—handkinsandapinny,pinnedwithasilversafety—pin?

Andbesides——IhaveseenthatdoorintothebackofthehillcalledCatBells——andbesides_I_amverywellacquaintedwithdearMrs。Tiggy—winkle!)

THEPIEAND

THEPATTY—PAN

Pussy—catsitsbythefire——howshouldshebefair?

Inwalksthelittledog——says"Pussyareyouthere?

HowdoyoudoMistressPussy?MistressPussy,howdoyoudo?"

"Ithankyoukindly,littledog,Ifareaswellasyou!"

_OldRhyme]

OnceuponatimetherewasaPussy—catcalledRibby,whoinvitedalittledogcalledDuchesstotea。

"Comeingoodtime,mydearDuchess,"saidRibby’sletter,"andwewillhavesomethingsoverynice。Iambakingitinapie—dish——apie—dishwithapinkrim。Younevertastedanythingsogood!AndYOUshalleatitall!_I_willeatmuffins,mydearDuchess!"wroteRibby。

"Iwillcomeverypunctually,mydearRibby,"wroteDuchess;andthenattheendsheadded——"Ihopeitisn’tmouse?"

Andthenshethoughtthatdidnotlookquitepolite;soshescratchedout"isn’tmouse"andchangeditto"I

hopeitwillbefine,"andshegaveherlettertothepostman。

ButshethoughtagreatdealaboutRibby’spie,andshereadRibby’sletteroverandoveragain。

"IamdreadfullyafraiditWILLbemouse!"saidDuchesstoherself——"I

reallycouldn’t,COULDN’Teatmousepie。AndIshallhavetoeatit,becauseitisaparty。AndMYpiewasgoingtobevealandham。Apinkandwhitepie—dish!andsoismine;justlikeRibby’sdishes;theywerebothboughtatTabithaTwitchit’s。"

Duchesswentintoherlarderandtookthepieoffashelfandlookedatit。

"Ohwhatagoodidea!Whyshouldn’tIrushalongandputmypieintoRibby’sovenwhenRibbyisn’tthere?"

RibbyinthemeantimehadreceivedDuchess’sanswer,andassoonasshewassurethatthelittledogwouldcome——shepoppedHERpieintotheoven。Thereweretwoovens,oneabovetheother;someotherknobsandhandleswereonlyornamentalandnotintendedtoopen。Ribbyputthepieintotheloweroven;thedoorwasverystiff。

"Thetopovenbakestooquickly,"

saidRibbytoherself。

Ribbyputonsomecoalandsweptupthehearth。Thenshewentoutwithacantothewell,forwatertofillupthekettle。

Thenshebegantosettheroominorder,foritwasthesitting—roomaswellasthekitchen。

WhenRibbyhadlaidthetableshewentoutdownthefieldtothefarm,tofetchmilkandbutter。

Whenshecameback,shepeepedintothebottomoven;thepielookedverycomfortable。

Ribbyputonhershawlandbonnetandwentoutagainwithabasket,tothevillageshoptobuyapacketoftea,apoundoflumpsugar,andapotofmarmalade。

Andjustatthesametime,DuchesscameoutofHERhouse,attheotherendofthevillage。

RibbymetDuchesshalf—waydownthestreet,alsocarryingabasket,coveredwithacloth。Theyonlybowedtooneanother;theydidnotspeak,becausetheyweregoingtohaveaparty。

AssoonasDuchesshadgotroundthecorneroutofsight——shesimplyran!StraightawaytoRibby’shouse!

Ribbywentintotheshopandboughtwhatsherequired,andcameout,afterapleasantgossipwithCousinTabithaTwitchit。

RibbywentontoTimothyBaker’sandboughtthemuffins。Thenshewenthome。

Thereseemedtobeasortofscufflingnoiseinthebackpassage,asshewascominginatthefrontdoor。

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫,醒来一梦似千年,重生于下堂妃身躯中的她,将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读

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