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。
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