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。