Mrs。Tabithabecamemoreandmoredistracted，andmeweddreadfullyWhiletheirmotherwassearchingthehouse，MoppetandMittenshadgotintomischief。
Thecupboarddoorwasnotlocked，sotheypusheditopenandcameout。
Theywentstraighttothedoughwhichwassettoriseinapanbeforethefire。
Theypatteditwiththeirlittlesoftpaws——\"Shallwemakedearlittlemuffins？\"saidMittenstoMoppetButjustatthatmomentsomebodyknockedatthefrontdoor，andMoppetjumpedintotheflourbarrelinafrightMittensranawaytothedairy，andhidinanemptyjaronthestoneshelfwherethemilkpansstand。
Thevisitorwasaneighbor，Mrs。Ribby；
shehadcalledtoborrowsomeyeast。
Mrs。Tabithacamedownstairsmewingdreadfully——\"Comein，CousinRibby，comein，andsityedown！I\'minsadtrouble，CousinRibby，\"saidTabitha，sheddingtears。\"I\'velostmydearsonThomas；I\'mafraidtheratshavegothim。\"Shewipedhereyeswithanapron。
\"He\'sabadkitten，CousinTabitha；hemadeacat\'scradleofmybestbonnetlasttimeIcametotea。Wherehaveyoulookedforhim？\"
\"Alloverthehouse！Theratsaretoomanyforme。Whatathingitistohaveanunrulyfamily！\"saidMrs。TabithaTwitchit。
\"I\'mnotafraidofrats；Iwillhelpyoutofindhim；andwhiphimtoo！Whatisallthatsootinthefender？\"
\"Thechimneywantssweeping——Oh，dearme，CousinRibby——nowMoppetandMittensaregone！\"
\"Theyhavebothgotoutofthecup-
board！\"
RibbyandTabithasettoworktosearchthehousethoroughlyagain。TheypokedunderthebedswithRibby\'sumbrella，andtheyrummagedincupboards。Theyevenfetchedacandle，andlookedinsideaclotheschestinoneoftheattics。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，hidinginanemptyjarTheytippedupthejar，andshescrambledout。
\"Oh，Mother，Mother！\"saidMittens——
\"Oh！Mother，Mother，therehasbeenanoldmanratinthedairy——adreadful\'normousbigrat，Mother；andhe\'sstolenapatofbutterandtherolling-pin。\"
RibbyandTabithalookedatoneanother。
\"Arolling-pinandbutter！Oh，mypoorsonThomas！\"exclaimedTabitha，wringingherpaws。
\"Arolling-pin？\"saidRibby。\"Didwenotheararoly-polynoiseintheatticwhenwewerelookingintothatchest？\"
RibbyandTabitharushedupstairsagain。
Sureenoughtheroly-polynoisewasstillgoingonquitedistinctlyundertheatticfloor\"Thisisserious，CousinTabitha，\"saidRibby。\"WemustsendforJohnJoineratonce，withasaw。\"
NowthisiswhathadbeenhappeningtoTomKitten，anditshowshowveryunwiseitistogoupachimneyinaveryoldhouse，whereapersondoesnotknowhisway，andwherethereareenormousrats。
TomKittendidnotwanttobeshutupinacupboard。Whenhesawthathismotherwasgoingtobake，hedeterminedtohide。
Helookedaboutforaniceconvenientplace，andhefixeduponthechimney。
Thefirehadonlyjustbeenlighted，anditwasnothot；buttherewasawhitechokysmokefromthegreensticks。TomKittengotuponthefenderandlookedup。Itwasabigold-fashionedfireplace。
Thechimneyitselfwaswideenoughinsideforamantostandupandwalkabout。
SotherewasplentyofroomforalittleTomCatHejumpedrightupintothefireplace，balancinghimselfupontheironbarwherethekettlehangs。
TomKittentookanotherbigjumpoffthebar，andlandedonaledgehighupinsidethechimney，knockingdownsomesootintothefender。
TomKittencoughedandchokedwiththesmoke；hecouldhearthesticksbeginningtocrackleandburninthefireplacedownbelow。Hemadeuphismindtoclimbrighttothetop，andgetoutontheslates，andtrytocatchsparrows。
\"Icannotgoback。IfIslippedImightfallinthefireandsingemybeautifultailandmylittlebluejacket。\"
Thechimneywasaverybigold-fashionedone。Itwasbuiltinthedayswhenpeopleburntlogsofwooduponthehearth。
Thechimneystackstoodupabovetherooflikealittlestonetower，andthedaylightshonedownfromthetop，undertheslantingslatesthatkeptouttherain。
TomKittenwasgettingveryfrightened！
Heclimbedup，andup，andupThenhewadedsidewaysthroughinchesofsoot。Hewaslikealittlesweephimself。
Itwasmostconfusinginthedark。Oneflueseemedtoleadintoanother。
Therewaslesssmoke，butTomKittenfeltquitelost。
Hescrambledupandup；butbeforehereachedthechimneytophecametoaplacewheresomebodyhadloosenedastoneinthewall。Thereweresomemuttonboneslyingabout——
\"Thisseemsfunny，\"saidTomKitten。
\"Whohasbeengnawingbonesuphereinthechimney？IwishIhadnevercome！
Andwhatafunnysmell！Itissomethinglikemouse；onlydreadfullystrong。Itmakesmesneeze，\"saidTomKitten。
Hesqueezedthroughtheholeinthewall，anddraggedhimselfalongamostuncomfortablytightpassagewheretherewasscarcelyanylight。
Hegropedhiswaycarefullyforseveralyards；hewasatthebackoftheskirting-
boardintheattic，wherethereisalittlemark*inthepicture。
Allatoncehefellheadoverheelsinthedark，downahole，andlandedonaheapofverydirtyrags。
WhenTomKittenpickedhimselfupandlookedabouthim——hefoundhimselfinaplacethathehadneverseenbefore，althoughhehadlivedallhislifeinthehouse。
Itwasaverysmallstuffyfustyroom，withboards，andrafters，andcobwebs，andlathandplaster。
Oppositetohim——asfarawayashecouldsit——wasanenormousrat。
\"Whatdoyoumeanbytumblingintomybedallcoveredwithsmuts？\"saidtherat，chatteringhisteeth。
\"Pleasesir，thechimneywantssweeping，\"
saidpoorTomKitten。
\"AnnaMaria！AnnaMaria！\"squeakedtherat。Therewasapatteringnoiseandanoldwomanratpokedherheadroundarafter。
AllinaminutesherusheduponTomKitten，andbeforeheknewwhatwashappening——
Hiscoatwaspulledoff，andhewasrolledupinabundle，andtiedwithstringinveryhardknots。
AnnaMariadidthetying。Theoldratwatchedherandtooksnuff。Whenshehadfinished，theybothsatstaringathimwiththeirmouthsopen。
\"AnnaMaria，\"saidtheoldmanrat（whosenamewasSamuelWhiskers），——
\"AnnaMaria，makemeakittendumplingroly-polypuddingformydinner。\"
\"Itrequiresdoughandapatofbutter，andarolling-pin，\"saidAnnaMaria，consideringTomKittenwithherheadononeside。
\"No，\"saidSamuelWhiskers，\"makeitproperly，AnnaMaria，withbreadcrumbs。\"
Nonsense！Butteranddough，\"repliedAnnaMaria。
Thetworatsconsultedtogetherforafewminutesandthenwentaway。
SamuelWhiskersgotthroughaholeinthewainscot，andwentboldlydownthefrontstaircasetothedairytogetthebutter。Hedidnotmeetanybody。
Hemadeasecondjourneyfortherolling-
pin。Hepusheditinfrontofhimwithhispaws，likeabrewer\'smantrundlingabarrel。
HecouldhearRibbyandTabithatalking，buttheywerebusylightingthecandletolookintothechest。
Theydidnotseehim。
AnnaMariawentdownbywayoftheskirting-boardandawindowshuttertothekitchentostealthedough。
Sheborrowedasmallsaucer，andscoopedupthedoughwithherpaws。
ShedidnotobserveMoppet。
WhileTomKittenwasleftaloneundertheflooroftheattic，hewriggledaboutandtriedtomewforhelp。
Buthismouthwasfullofsootandcob-
webs，andhewastiedupinsuchverytightknots，hecouldnotmakeanybodyhearhim。
Exceptaspider，whichcameoutofacrackintheceilingandexaminedtheknotscritically，fromasafedistance。
Itwasajudgeofknotsbecauseithadahabitoftyingupunfortunateblue-bottles。
Itdidnotoffertoassisthim。
TomKittenwriggledandsquirmeduntilhewasquiteexhausted。
Presentlytheratscamebackandsettoworktomakehimintoadumpling。Firsttheysmearedhimwithbutter，andthentheyrolledhiminthedough。
\"Willnotthestringbeveryindigestible，AnnaMaria？\"inquiredSamuelWhiskers。
AnnaMariasaidshethoughtthatitwasofnoconsequence；butshewishedthatTomKittenwouldholdhisheadstill，asitdisarrangedthepastry。Shelaidholdofhisears。
TomKittenbitandspat，andmewedandwriggled；andtherolling-pinwentroly-
poly，roly；roly，poly，roly。Theratseachheldanend。
\"Histailisstickingout！Youdidnotfetchenoughdough，AnnaMaria。\"
\"IfetchedasmuchasIcouldcarry，\"
repliedAnnaMaria。
\"Idonotthink\"——saidSamuelWhiskers，pausingtotakealookatTomKitten——\"I
doNOTthinkitwillbeagoodpudding。Itsmellssooty。\"
AnnaMariawasabouttoarguethepoint，whenallatoncetherebegantobeothersoundsupabove——theraspingnoiseofasaw；andthenoiseofalittledog，scratchingandyelping！
Theratsdroppedtherolling-pin，andlistenedattentively。
\"Wearediscoveredandinterrupted，AnnaMaria；letuscollectourproperty，——
andotherpeople\'s，——anddepartatonce。\"
\"Ifearthatweshallbeobligedtoleavethispudding。\"
\"ButIampersuadedthattheknotswouldhaveprovedindigestible，whateveryoumayurgetothecontrary。\"
\"Comeawayatonceandhelpmetotieupsomemuttonbonesinacounterpane，\"saidAnnaMaria。\"Ihavegothalfasmokedhamhiddeninthechimney。\"
SoithappenedthatbythetimeJohnJoinerhadgottheplankup——therewasnobodyunderthefloorexcepttherolling-pinandTomKitteninaverydirtydumpling！
Buttherewasastrongsmellofrats；andJohnJoinerspenttherestofthemorningsniffingandwhining，andwagginghistail，andgoingroundandroundwithhisheadintheholelikeagimlet。
Thenhenailedtheplankdownagain，andputhistoolsinhisbag，andcamedownstairs。
Thecatfamilyhadquiterecovered。Theyinvitedhimtostaytodinner。
ThedumplinghadbeenpeeledoffTomKitten，andmadeseparatelyintoabagpudding，withcurrantsinittohidethesmuts。
TheyhadbeenobligedtoputTomKittenintoahotbathtogetthebutteroff。
JohnJoinersmeltthepudding；butheregrettedthathehadnottimetostaytodinner，becausehehadjustfinishedmakingawheel-barrowforMissPotter，andshehadorderedtwohen-coops。
AndwhenIwasgoingtothepostlateintheafternoon——Ilookedupthelanefromthecorner，andIsawMr。SamuelWhiskersandhiswifeontherun，withbigbundlesonalittlewheel-barrow，whichlookedverylikemine。
TheywerejustturninginatthegatetothebarnofFarmerPotatoes。
SamuelWhiskerswaspuffingandoutofbreath。AnnaMariawasstillarguinginshrilltones。
Sheseemedtoknowherway，andsheseemedtohaveaquantityofluggage。
Iamsure_I_nevergaveherleavetoborrowmywheel-barrow！
Theywentintothebarn，aridhauledtheirparcelswithabitofstringtothetopofthehaymow。
Afterthat，therewerenomoreratsforalongtimeatTabithaTwitchit\'s。
AsforFarmerPotatoes，hehasbeendrivennearlydistracted。Therearerats，andrats，andratsinhisbarn！Theyeatupthechickenfood，andstealtheoatsandbran，andmakeholesinthemealbags。
AndtheyarealldescendedfromMr。
andMrs。SamuelWhiskers——childrenandgrand-childrenandgreatgreatgrand-children。
Thereisnoendtothem！
MoppetandMittenshavegrownupintoverygoodrat-catchers。
Theygooutrat-catchinginthevillage，andtheyfindplentyofemployment。Theychargesomuchadozen，andearntheirlivingverycomfortably。
Theyhanguptherats\'tailsinaroworthebarndoor，toshowhowmanytheyhavecaught——dozensanddozensofthem。
ButTomKittenhasalwaysbeenafraidofarat；heneverdurstfaceanythingthatisbiggerthan——
AMouse。
THEEND
THETALEOFMRTOD
IHAVEmademanybooksaboutwell-behavedpeople。Now，forachange，Iamgoingtomakeastoryabouttwodisagreeablepeople，calledTommyBrockandMr。Tod。
NobodycouldcallMr。Tod\"nice。\"
Therabbitscouldnotbearhim；
theycouldsmellhimhalfamileoff。
Hewasofawanderinghabitandhehadfoxeywhiskers；theyneverknewwherehewouldbenext。
Onedayhewaslivinginastick-
houseinthecoppice，causingterrortothefamilyofoldMr。BenjaminBouncer。Nextdayhemovedintoapollardwillownearthelake，frighteningthewildducksandthewaterrats。
InwinterandearlyspringhemightgenerallybefoundinanearthamongsttherocksatthetopofBullBanks，underOatmealCrag。
Hehadhalfadozenhouses，buthewasseldomathome。
ThehouseswerenotalwaysemptywhenMr。TodmovedOUT；becausesometimesTommyBrockmovedIN；（withoutaskingleave）。
TommyBrockwasashortbristlyfatwaddlingpersonwithagrin；hegrinnedalloverhisface。Hewasnotniceinhishabits。Heatewaspnestsandfrogsandworms；andhewaddledaboutbymoonlight，diggingthingsup。
Hisclotheswereverydirty；andashesleptintheday-time，healwayswenttobedinhisboots。Andthebedwhichhewenttobedin，wasgenerallyMr。Tod\'s。
NowTommyBrockdidoccasionallyeatrabbit-pie；butitwasonlyverylittleyoungonesoccasionally，whenotherfoodwasreallyscarce。
HewasfriendlywitholdMr。
Bouncer；theyagreedindislikingthewickedottersandMr。Tod；theyoftentalkedoverthatpainfulsubject。
OldMr。Bouncerwasstrickeninyears。Hesatinthespringsunshineoutsidetheburrow，inamuffler；
smokingapipeofrabbittobacco。
HelivedwithhissonBenjaminBunnyandhisdaughter-in-lawFlopsy，whohadayoungfamily。
OldMr。Bouncerwasinchargeofthefamilythatafternoon，becauseBenjaminandFlopsyhadgoneout。
Thelittlerabbit-babieswerejustoldenoughtoopentheirblueeyesandkick。Theylayinafluffybedofrabbitwoolandhay，inashallowburrow，separatefromthemainrabbithole。Totellthetruth——oldMr。Bouncerhadforgottenthem。
Hesatinthesun，andconversedcordiallywithTommyBrock，whowaspassingthroughthewoodwithasackandalittlespudwhichheusedfordigging，andsomemoletraps。
Hecomplainedbitterlyaboutthescarcityofpheasants\'eggs，andaccusedMr。Todofpoachingthem。Andtheottershadclearedoffallthefrogswhilehewasasleepinwinter——\"Ihavenothadagoodsquaremealforafortnight，Iamlivingonpig-nuts。Ishallhavetoturnvegetarianandeatmyowntail！\"saidTommyBrock。
Itwasnotmuchofajoke，butittickledoldMr。Bouncer；becauseTommyBrockwassofatandstumpyandgrinning。
SooldMr。Bouncerlaughed；andpressedTommyBrocktocomeinside，totasteasliceofseed-cakeand\"aglassofmydaughterFlopsy\'scowslipwine。\"TommyBrocksqueezedhimselfintotherabbitholewithalacrity。
ThenoldMr。Bouncersmokedanotherpipe，andgaveTommyBrockacabbageleafcigarwhichwassoverystrongthatitmadeTommyBrockgrinmorethanever；andthesmokefilledtheburrow。OldMr。
Bouncercoughedandlaughed；andTommyBrockpuffedandgrinned。
AndMr。Bouncerlaughedandcoughed，andshuthiseyesbecauseofthecabbagesmoke……
WhenFlopsyandBenjamincameback——oldMr。Bouncerwokeup。
TommyBrockandalltheyoungrabbit-babieshaddisappeared！
Mr。Bouncerwouldnotconfessthathehadadmittedanybodyintotherabbithole。Butthesmellofbadgerwasundeniable；andtherewereroundheavyfootmarksinthesand。Hewasindisgrace；Flopsywrungherears，andslappedhim。
BenjaminBunnysetoffatonceafterTommyBrock。
Therewasnotmuchdifficultyintrackinghim；hehadlefthisfoot-
markandgoneslowlyupthewindingfootpaththroughthewood。
Herehehadrootedupthemossandwoodsorrel。Therehehaddugquiteadeepholefordogdarnel；
andhadsetamoletrap。Alittlestreamcrossedtheway。Benjaminskippedlightlyoverdry-foot；thebadger\'sheavystepsshowedplainlyinthemud。
Thepathledtoapartofthethicketwherethetreeshadbeencleared；
therewereleafyoakstumps，andaseaofbluehyacinths——butthesmellthatmadeBenjaminstop，wasnotthesmellofflowers！
Mr。Tod\'sstickhousewasbeforehimand，foronce，Mr。Todwasathome。Therewasnotonlyafoxeyflavourinproofofit——therewassmokecomingoutofthebrokenpailthatservedasachimney。
BenjaminBunnysatup，staring；
hiswhiskerstwitched。Insidethestickhousesomebodydroppedaplate，andsaidsomething。Benjaminstampedhisfoot，andbolted。
Heneverstoppedtillhecametotheothersideofthewood。ApparentlyTommyBrockhadturnedthesameway。Uponthetopofthewall，therewereagainthemarksofbadger；andsomeravellingsofasackhadcaughtonabriar。
Benjaminclimbedoverthewall，intoameadow。Hefoundanothermoletrapnewlyset；hewasstilluponthetrackofTommyBrock。
Itwasgettinglateintheafternoon。
Otherrabbitswerecomingouttoenjoytheeveningair。Oneoftheminabluecoatbyhimself，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；andTommyBrockhashadrefreshment。Hewillprobablygotosleep，andkeepthemforbreakfast。\"\"Whichway？\"
\"CousinBenjamin，composeyourself。Iknowverywellwhichway。
BecauseMr。Todwasathomeinthestick-househehasgonetoMr。Tod\'sotherhouse，atthetopofBullBanks。Ipartlyknow，becauseheofferedtoleaveanymessageatSisterCottontail\'s；hesaidhewouldbepassing。\"（Cottontailhadmarriedablackrabbit，andgonetoliveonthehill）。
Peterhidhisdandelions，andaccompaniedtheafflictedparent，whowasallofatwitter。Theycrossedseveralfieldsandbegantoclimbthehill；thetracksofTommyBrockwereplainlytobeseen。Heseemedtohaveputdownthesackeverydozenyards，torest。
\"Hemustbeverypuffed；weareclosebehindhim，bythescentWhatanastyperson！\"saidPeter。
Thesunshinewasstillwarmandslantingonthehillpastures。Halfwayup，Cottontailwassittinginherdoorway，withfourorfivehalf-
grownlittlerabbitsplayingabouther；oneblackandtheothersbrown。
CottontailhadseenTommyBrockpassinginthedistance。AskedwhetherherhusbandwasathomesherepliedthatTommyBrockhadrestedtwicewhileshewatchedhim。
Hehadnodded，andpointedtothesack，andseemeddoubledupwithlaughing——\"Comeaway，Peter；
hewillbecookingthem；comequicker！\"saidBenjaminBunny。
Theyclimbedupandup；——\"Hewasathome；Isawhisblackearspeepingoutofthehole。\"\"Theylivetooneartherockstoquarrelwiththeirneighbours。ComeonCousinBenjamin！\"
WhentheycamenearthewoodatthetopofBullBanks，theywentcautiously。Thetreesgrewamongstheapeduprocks；andthere，beneathacrag——Mr。Todhadmadeoneofhishomes。Itwasatthetopofasteepbank；therocksandbushesoverhungit。Therabbitscreptupcarefully，listeningandpeeping。
Thishousewassomethingbetweenacave，aprison，andatumble-
downpig-stye。Therewasastrongdoor，whichwasshutandlocked。
Thesettingsunmadethewindowpanesglowlikeredflame；butthekitchenfirewasnotalight。Itwasneatlylaidwithdrysticks，astherabbitscouldsee，whentheypeepedthroughthewindow。
Benjaminsighedwithrelief。
Buttherewerepreparationsuponthekitchentablewhichmadehimshudder。Therewasanimmenseemptypie-dishofbluewillowpattern，andalargecarvingknifeandfork，andachopper。
Attheotherendofthetablewasapartlyunfoldedtablecloth，aplate，atumbler，aknifeandfork，salt-
cellar，mustardandachair——inshort，preparationsforoneperson\'ssupper。
Nopersonwastobeseen，andnoyoungrabbits。Thekitchenwasemptyandsilent；theclockhadrundown。PeterandBenjaminflattenedtheirnosesagainstthewindow，andstaredintothedusk。
Thentheyscrambledroundtherockstotheothersideofthehouse。
Itwasdampandsmelly，andover-
grownwiththornsandbriars。
Therabbitsshiveredintheirshoes。
\"Ohmypoorrabbitbabies！Whatadreadfulplace；Ishallneverseethemagain！\"sighedBenjamin。
Theycreptuptothebedroomwindow。Itwasclosedandboltedlikethekitchen。Butthereweresignsthatthiswindowhadbeenrecentlyopen；thecobwebsweredisturbed，andtherewerefreshdirtyfootmarksuponthewindow-sill。
Theroominsidewassodark，thatatfirsttheycouldmakeoutnothing；buttheycouldhearanoise——aslowdeepregularsnoringgrunt。
Andastheireyesbecameaccustomedtothedarkness，theyperceivedthatsomebodywasasleeponMr。Tod\'sbed，curledupundertheblanket——\"Hehasgonetobedinhisboots，\"whisperedPeter。
Benjamin，whowasallofatwitter，pulledPeteroffthewindow-sill。
TommyBrock\'ssnorescontinued，gruntyandregularfromMr。Tod\'sbed。Nothingcouldbeseenoftheyoungfamily。
Thesunhadset；anowlbegantohootinthewood。Thereweremanyunpleasantthingslyingabout，thathadmuchbetterhavebeenburied；rabbitbonesandskulls，andchickens\'legsandotherhorrors。Itwasashockingplace，andverydark。
Theywentbacktothefrontofthehouse，andtriedineverywaytomovetheboltofthekitchenwindow。Theytriedtopushuparustynailbetweenthewindowsashes；butitwasofnouse，especiallywithoutalight。
Theysatsidebysideoutsidethewindow，whisperingandlistening。
Inhalfanhourthemoonroseoverthewood。Itshonefullandclearandcold，uponthehouseamongsttherocks，andinatthekitchenwindow。Butalas，nolittlerabbitbabiesweretobeseen！
Themoonbeamstwinkledonthecarvingknifeandthepiedish，andmadeapathofbrightnessacrossthedirtyfloor。
Thelightshowedalittledoorinawallbesidethekitchenfireplace——
alittleirondoorbelongingtoabrickoven，ofthatold-fashionedsortthatusedtobeheatedwithfaggotsofwood。
