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。
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