CONTENTS
THETALEOFPETERRABBIT
THETAILOROFGLOUCESTER
THETALEOFSQUIRRELNUTKIN
THETALEOFBENJAMINBUNNY
THETALEOFTWOBADMICE
THETALEOFMRS。TIGGY—WINKLE
THEPIEANDTHEPATTY—PAN
THETALEOFMR。JEREMYFISHER
THESTORYOFAFIERCEBADRABBIT
THESTORYOFMISSMOPPET
THETALEOFTOMKITTEN
THETALEOFJEMIMAPUDDLE—DUCK
THEROLY—POLYPUDDING
THETALEOFTHEFLOPSYBUNNIES
THETALEOFMRS。TITTLEMOUSE
THETALEOFTIMMYTIPTOES
THETALEOFMR。TOD
THETALEOFPIGLINGBLAND
GINGERANDPICKLES
THETALEOF
PETERRABBIT
OnceuponatimetherewerefourlittleRabbits，andtheirnameswere——
Flopsy，Mopsy，Cotton—tail，andPeter。
TheylivedwiththeirMotherinasand—bank，underneaththerootofaverybigfir—tree。
\"Now，mydears，\"saidoldMrs。
Rabbitonemorning，\"youmaygointothefieldsordownthelane，butdon’tgointoMr。McGregor’sgarden：yourFatherhadanaccidentthere；hewasputinapiebyMrs。McGregor。\"
\"Nowrunalong，anddon’tgetintomischief。Iamgoingout。\"
ThenoldMrs。Rabbittookabasketandherumbrella，andwentthroughthewoodtothebaker’s。Sheboughtaloafofbrownbreadandfivecurrantbuns。
Flopsy，Mopsy，andCotton—tail，whoweregoodlittlebunnies，wentdownthelanetogatherblackberries；
ButPeter，whowasverynaughty，ranstraightawaytoMr。McGregor’sgarden，andsqueezedunderthegate!
FirstheatesomelettucesandsomeFrenchbeans；andthenheatesomeradishes；
Andthen，feelingrathersick，hewenttolookforsomeparsley。
Butroundtheendofacucumberframe，whomshouldhemeetbutMr。
McGregor!
Mr。McGregorwasonhishandsandkneesplantingoutyoungcabbages，buthejumpedupandranafterPeter，wavingarakeandcallingout，\"Stopthief。\"
Peterwasmostdreadfullyfrightened；herushedalloverthegarden，forhehadforgottenthewaybacktothegate。
Helostoneofhisshoesamongthecabbages，andtheothershoeamongstthepotatoes。
Afterlosingthem，heranonfourlegsandwentfaster，sothatIthinkhemighthavegotawayaltogetherifhehadnotunfortunatelyrunintoagooseberrynet，andgotcaughtbythelargebuttonsonhisjacket。Itwasabluejacketwithbrassbuttons，quitenew。
Petergavehimselfupforlost，andshedbigtears；buthissobswereoverheardbysomefriendlysparrows，whoflewtohimingreatexcitement，andimploredhimtoexerthimself。
Mr。McGregorcameupwithasieve，whichheintendedtopopuponthetopofPeter；butPeterwriggledoutjustintime，leavinghisjacketbehindhim。
Andrushedintothetoolshed，andjumpedintoacan。Itwouldhavebeenabeautifulthingtohidein，ifithadnothadsomuchwaterinit。
Mr。McGregorwasquitesurethatPeterwassomewhereinthetoolshed，perhapshiddenunderneathaflower—
pot。Hebegantoturnthemovercarefully，lookingundereach。
PresentlyPetersneezed——
\"Kertyschoo!\"Mr。McGregorwasafterhiminnotime，AndtriedtoputhisfootuponPeter，whojumpedoutofawindow，upsettingthreeplants。ThewindowwastoosmallforMr。McGregor，andhewastiredofrunningafterPeter。Hewentbacktohiswork。
Petersatdowntorest；hewasoutofbreathandtremblingwithfright，andhehadnottheleastideawhichwaytogo。Alsohewasverydampwithsittinginthatcan。
Afteratimehebegantowanderabout，goinglippity——lippity——notveryfast，andlookingallaround。
Hefoundadoorinawall；butitwaslocked，andtherewasnoroomforafatlittlerabbittosqueezeunderneath。
Anoldmousewasrunninginandoutoverthestonedoorstep，carryingpeasandbeanstoherfamilyinthewood。Peteraskedherthewaytothegate，butshehadsuchalargepeainhermouththatshecouldnotanswer。
Sheonlyshookherheadathim。Peterbegantocry。
Thenhetriedtofindhiswaystraightacrossthegarden，buthebecamemoreandmorepuzzled。
Presently，hecametoapondwhereMr。McGregorfilledhiswater—cans。A
whitecatwasstaringatsomegoldfish；shesatvery，verystill，butnowandthenthetipofhertailtwitchedasifitwerealive。Peterthoughtitbesttogoawaywithoutspeakingtoher；hehasheardaboutcatsfromhiscousin，littleBenjaminBunny。
Hewentbacktowardsthetoolshed，butsuddenly，quiteclosetohim，heheardthenoiseofahoe——scr—
r—ritch，scratch，scratch，scritch。Peterscutteredunderneaththebushes。Butpresently，asnothinghappened，hecameout，andclimbeduponawheelbarrow，andpeepedover。ThefirstthinghesawwasMr。McGregorhoeingonions。HisbackwasturnedtowardsPeter，andbeyondhimwasthegate!
Petergotdownveryquietlyoffthewheelbarrow，andstartedrunningasfastashecouldgo，alongastraightwalkbehindsomeblack—currantbushes。
Mr。McGregorcaughtsightofhimatthecorner，butPeterdidnotcare。
Heslippedunderneaththegate，andwassafeatlastinthewoodoutsidethegarden。
Mr。McGregorhungupthelittlejacketandtheshoesforascare—crowtofrightentheblackbirds。
Peterneverstoppedrunningorlookedbehindhimtillhegothometothebigfir—tree。
Hewassotiredthathefloppeddownuponthenicesoftsandontheflooroftherabbit—hole，andshuthiseyes。Hismotherwasbusycooking；
shewonderedwhathehaddonewithhisclothes。ItwasthesecondlittlejacketandpairofshoesthatPeterhadlostinafortnight!
IamsorrytosaythatPeterwasnotverywellduringtheevening。
Hismotherputhimtobed，andmadesomecamomiletea；andshegaveadoseofittoPeter!
\"Onetable—spoonfultobetakenatbed—time。\"
ButFlopsy，Mopsy，andCotton—tailhadbreadandmilkandblackberriesforsupper。
THETAILOROF
GLOUCESTER
\"I’llbeatchargesforalooking—glass；
Andentertainascoreortwooftailors。\"
[RichardIII]
MyDearFreda：
Becauseyouarefondoffailytales，andhavebeenill，I
havemadeyouastoryallforyourself——anewonethatnobodyhasreadbefore。
Andthequeerestthingaboutitis——thatIhearditinGloucestershire，andthatitistrue——atleastaboutthetailor，thewaistcoat，andthe\"Nomoretwist!\"
_Christmas_
Inthetimeofswordsandperiwigsandfull—skirtedcoatswithfloweredlappets——whengentlemenworeruffles，andgold—lacedwaistcoatsofpaduasoyandtaffeta——therelivedatailorinGloucester。
HesatinthewindowofalittleshopinWestgateStreet，cross—leggedonatablefrommorningtilldark。
Alldaylongwhilethelightlastedhesewedandsnippetted，piecingouthissatin，andpompadour，andlutestring；stuffshadstrangenames，andwereveryexpensiveinthedaysoftheTailorofGloucester。
Butalthoughhesewedfinesilkforhisneighbours，hehimselfwasvery，verypoor。Hecuthiscoatswithoutwaste；accordingtohisembroideredcloth，theywereverysmallendsandsnippetsthatlayaboutuponthetable——\"Toonarrowbreadthsfornought——exceptwaistcoatsformice，\"
saidthetailor。
OnebittercolddaynearChristmastimethetailorbegantomakeacoat（acoatofcherry—
colouredcordedsilkembroideredwithpansiesandroses）andacream—
colouredsatinwaistcoatfortheMayorofGloucester。
Thetailorworkedandworked，andhetalkedtohimself：\"Nobreadthatall，andcutonthecross；itisnobreadthatall；tippetsformiceandribbonsformobs!formice!\"saidtheTailorofGloucester。
Whenthesnow—flakescamedownagainstthesmallleadedwindow—
panesandshutoutthelight，thetailorhaddonehisday’swork；allthesilkandsatinlaycutoutuponthetable。
Thereweretwelvepiecesforthecoatandfourpiecesforthewaistcoat；
andtherewerepocket—flapsandcuffsandbuttons，allinorder。Fortheliningofthecoattherewasfineyellowtaffeta，andforthebutton—
holesofthewaistcoattherewascherry—colouredtwist。Andeverythingwasreadytosewtogetherinthemorning，allmeasuredandsufficient——exceptthattherewaswantingjustonesingleskeinofcherry—colouredtwistedsilk。
Thetailorcameoutofhisshopatdark。Noonelivedthereatnightsbutlittlebrownmice，andTHEYraninandoutwithoutanykeys!
ForbehindthewoodenwainscotsofalltheoldhousesinGloucester，therearelittlemousestaircasesandsecrettrap—doors；andthemicerunfromhousetohousethroughthoselong，narrowpassages。
Butthetailorcameoutofhisshopandshuffledhomethroughthesnow。
Andalthoughitwasnotabighouse，thetailorwassopoorheonlyrentedthekitchen。
Helivedalonewithhiscat；itwascalledSimpkin。
\"Miaw？\"saidthecatwhenthetailoropenedthedoor，\"miaw？\"
Thetailorreplied：\"Simpkin，weshallmakeourfortune，butIamworntoaravelling。Takethisgroat（whichisourlastfourpence），and，Simpkin，takeachinapipkin，butapenn’orthofbread，apenn’orthofmilk，andapenn’orthofsausages。
Andoh，Simpkin，withthelastpennyofourfourpencebutmeonepenn’orthofcherry—colouredsilk。Butdonotlosethelastpennyofthefourpence，Simpkin，orIamundoneandworntoathread—paper，forI
haveNOMORETWIST。\"
ThenSimpkinagainsaid\"Miaw!\"
andtookthegroatandthepipkin，andwentoutintothedark。
Thetailorwasverytiredandbeginningtobeill。Hesatdownbythehearthandtalkedtohimselfaboutthatwonderfulcoat。
\"Ishallmakemyfortune——tobecutbias——theMayorofGloucesteristobemarriedonChristmasDayinthemorning，andhehathorderedacoatandanembroideredwaistcoat——\"
Thenthetailorstarted；forsuddenly，interruptinghim，fromthedresserattheothersideofthekitchencameanumberoflittlenoises——
Tiptap，tiptap，tiptaptip!
\"Nowwhatcanthatbe？\"saidtheTailorofGloucester，jumpingupfromhischair。Thetailorcrossedthekitchen，andstoodquitestillbesidethedresser，listening，andpeeringthroughhisspectacles。
\"Thisisverypeculiar，\"saidtheTailorofGloucester，andheliftedupthetea—cupwhichwasupsidedown。
Outsteppedalittleliveladymouse，andmadeacourtesytothetailor!
Thenshehoppedawaydownoffthedresser，andunderthewainscot。
Thetailorsatdownagainbythefire，warminghispoorcoldhands。
Butallatonce，fromthedresser，therecameotherlittlenoises——
Tiptap，tiptap，tiptaptip!
\"Thisispassingextraordinary!\"
saidtheTailorofGloucester，andturnedoveranothertea—cup，whichwasupsidedown。
Outsteppedalittlegentlemanmouse，andmadeabowtothetailor!
Andoutfromundertea—cupsandfromunderbowlsandbasins，steppedotherandmorelittlemice，whohoppedawaydownoffthedresserandunderthewainscot。
Thetailorsatdown，closeoverthefire，lamenting：\"One—and—twentybuttonholesofcherry—colouredsilk!
TobefinishedbynoonofSaturday：
andthisisTuesdayevening。Wasitrighttoletloosethosemice，undoubtedlythepropertyofSimpkin？
Alack，Iamundone，forIhavenomoretwist!\"
Thelittlemicecameoutagainandlistenedtothetailor；theytooknoticeofthepatternofthatwonderfulcoat。
Theywhisperedtooneanotheraboutthetaffetaliningandaboutlittlemousetippets。
Andthensuddenlytheyallranawaytogetherdownthepassagebehindthewainscot，squeakingandcallingtooneanotherastheyranfromhousetohouse。
Notonemousewasleftinthetailor’skitchenwhenSimpkincameback。Hesetdownthepipkinofmilkuponthedresser，andlookedsuspiciouslyatthetea—cups。Hewantedhissupperoflittlefatmouse!
\"Simpkin，\"saidthetailor，\"whereismyTWIST？\"
ButSimpkinhidalittleparcelprivatelyinthetea—pot，andspitandgrowledatthetailor；andifSimpkinhadbeenabletotalk，hewouldhaveasked：\"WhereismyMOUSE？\"
\"Alack，Iamundone!\"saidtheTailorofGloucester，andwentsadlytobed。
AllthatnightlongSimpkinhuntedandsearchedthroughthekitchen，peepingintocupboardsandunderthewainscot，andintothetea—potwherehehadhiddenthattwist；butstillhefoundneveramouse!
Thepooroldtailorwasveryillwithafever，tossingandturninginhisfour—postbed；andstillinhisdreamshemumbled：\"Nomoretwist!nomoretwist!\"
Whatshouldbecomeofthecherry—
colouredcoat？Whoshouldcometosewit，whenthewindowwasbarred，andthedoorwasfastlocked？
Out—of—doorsthemarketfolkswenttrudgingthroughthesnowtobuytheirgeeseandturkeys，andtobaketheirChristmaspies；buttherewouldbenodinnerforSimpkinandthepooroldtailorofGloucester。
Thetailorlayillforthreedaysandnights；andthenitwasChristmasEve，andverylateatnight。AndstillSimpkinwantedhismice，andmewedashestoodbesidethefour—postbed。
ButitisintheoldstorythatallthebeastscantalkinthenightbetweenChristmasEveandChristmasDayinthemorning（thoughthereareveryfewfolkthatcanhearthem，orknowwhatitisthattheysay）。
WhentheCathedralclockstrucktwelvetherewasananswer——likeanechoofthechimes——andSimpkinheardit，andcameoutofthetailor’sdoor，andwanderedaboutinthesnow。
FromalltheroofsandgablesandoldwoodenhousesinGloucestercameathousandmerryvoicessingingtheoldChristmasrhymes——alltheoldsongsthateverIheardof，andsomethatIdon’tknow，likeWhittington’sbells。
UnderthewoodeneavesthestarlingsandsparrowssangofChristmaspies；thejackdawswokeupintheCathedraltower；andalthoughitwasthemiddleofthenightthethrostlesandrobinssang；andairwasquitefulloflittletwitteringtunes。
ButitwasallratherprovokingtopoorhungrySimpkin。
Fromthetailor’sshipinWestgatecameaglowoflight；andwhenSimpkincreptuptopeepinatthewindowitwasfullofcandles。Therewasasnippetingofscissors，andsnappetingofthread；andlittlemousevoicessangloudlyandgaily：
\"Four—and—twentytailorsWenttocatchasnail，ThebestmanamongstthemDurstnottouchhertail；
SheputoutherhornsLikealittlekyloecow。
Run，tailors，run!
Orshe’llhaveyoualle’ennow!\"
Thenwithoutapausethelittlemousevoiceswentonagain：
\"Sievemylady’soatmeal，Grindmylady’sflour，Putitinachestnut，Letitstandanhour——\"
\"Mew!Mew!\"interruptedSimpkin，andhescratchedatthedoor。Butthekeywasunderthetailor’spillow；hecouldnotgetin。
Thelittlemiceonlylaughed，andtriedanothertune——
\"Threelittlemicesatdowntospin，Pussypassedbyandshepeepedin。
Whatareyouat，myfinelittlemen？
Makingcoatsforgentlemen。
ShallIcomeinandcutoffyoursthreads？
Oh，no，MissPussy，You’dbiteoffourheads!\"
\"Mew!scratch!scratch!\"scuffledSimpkinonthewindow—sill；whilethelittlemiceinsidesprangtotheirfeet，andallbegantoshoutallatonceinlittletwitteringvoices：\"Nomoretwist!Nomoretwist!\"Andtheybarredupthewindow—shuttersandshutoutSimpkin。
Simpkincameawayfromtheshopandwenthomeconsideringinhismind。Hefoundthepooroldtailorwithoutfever，sleepingpeacefully。
ThenSimpkinwentontip—toeandtookalittleparcelofsilkoutofthetea—pot；andlookedatitinthemoonlight；andhefeltquiteashamedofhisbadnesscomparedwiththosegoodlittlemice!
Whenthetailorawokeinthemorning，thefirstthingwhichhesaw，uponthepatchworkquilt，wasaskeinofcherry—colouredtwistedsilk，andbesidehisbedstoodtherepentantSimpkin!
Thesunwasshiningonthesnowwhenthetailorgotupanddressed，andcameoutintothestreetwithSimpkinrunningbeforehim。
\"Alack，\"saidthetailor，\"Ihavemytwist；butnomorestrength——nortime——thanwillservetomakemeonesinglebuttonhole；forthisisChristmasDayintheMorning!TheMayorofGloucestershallbemarriedbynoon——andwhereishischerry—
colouredcoat？\"
HeunlockedthedoorofthelittleshopinWestgateStreet，andSimpkinranin，likeacatthatexpectssomething。
Buttherewasnoonethere!Notevenonelittlebrownmouse!
Butuponthetable——ohjoy!thetailorgaveashout——there，wherehehadleftplaincuttingsofsilk——therelaythemostbeautifulcoatandembroideredsatinwaistcoatthateverwerewornbyaMayorofGloucester!
Everythingwasfinishedexceptjustonesinglecherry—colouredbuttonhole，andwherethatbuttonholewaswantingtherewaspinnedascrapofpaperwiththesewords——inlittleteenyweenywriting——
NOMORETWIST。
AndfromthenbegantheluckoftheTailorofGloucester；hegrewquitestout，andhegrewquiterich。
HemadethemostwonderfulwaistcoatsforalltherichmerchantsofGloucester，andforallthefinegentlemenofthecountryround。
Neverwereseensuchruffles，orsuchembroideredcuffsandlappets!
Buthisbuttonholeswerethegreatesttriumphofitall。
Thestitchesofthosebuttonholesweresoneat——SOneat——Iwonderhowtheycouldbestitchedbyanoldmaninspectacles，withcrookedoldfingers，andatailor’sthimble。
Thestitchesofthosebuttonholesweresosmall——SOsmall——theylookedasiftheyhadbeenmadebylittlemice!
THETALEOF
SQUIRRELNUTKIN
[AStoryforNorah]
ThisisaTaleaboutatail——atailthatbelongedtoalittleredsquirrel，andhisnamewasNutkin。
HehadabrothercalledTwinkleberry，andagreatmanycousins：theylivedinawoodattheedgeofalake。
Inthemiddleofthelakethereisanislandcoveredwithtreesandnutbushes；andamongstthosetreesstandsahollowoak—tree，whichisthehouseofanowlwhoiscalledOldBrown。
Oneautumnwhenthenutswereripe，andtheleavesonthehazelbushesweregoldenandgreen——
NutkinandTwinkleberryandalltheotherlittlesquirrelscameoutofthewood，anddowntotheedgeofthelake。
Theymadelittleraftsoutoftwigs，andtheypaddledawayoverthewatertoOwlIslandtogathernuts。
Eachsquirrelhadalittlesackandalargeoar，andspreadouthistailforasail。
TheyalsotookwiththemanofferingofthreefatmiceasapresentforOldBrown，andputthemdownuponhisdoor—step。
ThenTwinkleberryandtheotherlittlesquirrelseachmadealowbow，andsaidpolitely——
\"OldMr。Brown，willyoufavouruswithpermissiontogathernutsuponyourisland？\"
ButNutkinwasexcessivelyimpertinentinhismanners。HebobbedupanddownlikealittleredCHERRY，singing——
\"Riddleme，riddleme，rot—tot—tote!
Alittleweeman，inaredredcoat!
Astaffinhishand，andastoneinhisthroat；
Ifyou’lltellmethisriddle，I’llgiveyouagroat。\"
Nowthisriddleisasoldasthehills；
Mr。BrownpaidnoattentionwhatevertoNutkin。
Heshuthiseyesobstinatelyandwenttosleep。
Thesquirrelsfilledtheirlittlesackswithnuts，andsailedawayhomeintheevening。
ButnextmorningtheyallcamebackagaintoOwlIsland；andTwinkleberryandtheothersbroughtafinefatmole，andlaiditonthestoneinfrontofOldBrown’sdoorway，andsaid——
\"Mr。Brown，willyoufavouruswithyourgraciouspermissiontogathersomemorenuts？\"
ButNutkin，whohadnorespect，begantodanceupanddown，ticklingoldMr。BrownwithaNETTLEandsinging——
\"OldMr。B!Riddle—me—ree!
HittyPittywithinthewall，HittyPittywithoutthewall；
IfyoutouchHittyPitty，HittyPittywillbiteyou!\"
Mr。Brownwokeupsuddenlyandcarriedthemoleintohishouse。
HeshutthedoorinNutkin’sface。
PresentlyalittlethreadofblueSMOKE
fromawoodfirecameupfromthetopofthetree，andNutkinpeepedthroughthekey—holeandsang——
\"Ahousefull，aholefull!
Andyoucannotgatherabowl—full!\"
Thesquirrelssearchedfornutsallovertheislandandfilledtheirlittlesacks。
ButNutkingatheredoak—apples——
yellowandscarlet——andsatuponabeech—stumpplayingmarbles，andwatchingthedoorofoldMr。Brown。
Onthethirddaythesquirrelsgotupveryearlyandwentfishing；theycaughtsevenfatminnowsasapresentforOldBrown。
TheypaddledoverthelakeandlandedunderacrookedchestnuttreeonOwlIsland。
Twinkleberryandsixotherlittlesquirrelseachcarriedafatminnow；
butNutkin，whohadnonicemanners，broughtnopresentatall。
Heraninfront，singing——
\"Themaninthewildernesssaidtome，`Howmaystrawberriesgrowinthesea？’
IansweredhimasIthoughtgood——
`Asmanyredherringsasgrowinthewood。\"’
ButoldMr。Browntooknointerestinriddles——notevenwhentheanswerwasprovidedforhim。
Onthefourthdaythesquirrelsbroughtapresentofsixfatbeetles，whichwereasgoodasplumsinPLUM—PUDDINGforOldBrown。Eachbeetlewaswrappedupcarefullyinadockleaf，fastenedwithapine—needle—
pin。
ButNutkinsangasrudelyasever——
\"OldMr。B!riddle—me—ree!
FlourofEngland，fruitofSpain，Mettogetherinashowerofrain；
Putinabagtiedroundwithastring，Ifyou’lltellmethisriddle，I’llgiveyouaring!\"
WhichwasridiculousofNutkin，becausehehadnotgotanyringtogivetoOldBrown。
Theothersquirrelshuntedupanddownthenutbushes；butNutkingatheredrobin’spin—cushionsoffabriarbush，andstuckthemfullofpine—needle—pins。
Onthefifthdaythesquirrelsbroughtapresentofwildhoney；itwassosweetandstickythattheylickedtheirfingersastheyputitdownuponthestone。TheyhadstolenitoutofabumbleBEES’nestonthetippitytopofthehill。
ButNutkinskippedupanddown，singing——
\"Hum—a—bum!buzz!buzz!Hum—a—bumbuzz!
AsIwentoverTipple—tineImetaflockofbonnyswine；
Someyellow—nacked，someyellowbacked!
TheyweretheverybonniestswineThate’erwentovertheTipple—tine。\"
OldMr。BrownturneduphiseyesindisgustattheimpertinenceofNutkin。
Butheateupthehoney!
Thesquirrelsfilledtheirlittlesackswithnuts。
ButNutkinsatuponabigflatrock，andplayedninepinswithacrabappleandgreenfir—cones。
Onthesixthday，whichwasSaturday，thesquirrelscameagainforthelasttime；theybroughtanew—laidEGGinalittlerushbasketasalastpartingpresentforOldBrown。
ButNutkinraninfrontlaughing，andshouting——
\"HumptyDumptyliesinthebeck，Withawhitecounterpaneroundhisneck，Fortydoctorsandfortywrights，CannotputHumptyDumptytorights!\"
NowoldMr。Browntookaninterestineggs；heopenedoneeyeandshutitagain。Butstillhedidnotspeak。
Nutkinbecamemoreandmoreimpertinent——
\"OldMr。B!OldMr。B!
Hickamore，Hackamore，ontheKing’skitchendoor；
AlltheKing’shorses，andalltheKing’smen，Couldn’tdriveHickamore，Hackamore，OfftheKing’skitchendoor!\"
NutkindancedupanddownlikeaSUNBEAM；butstillOldBrownsaidnothingatall。
Nutkinbeganagain——
\"AuthurO’Bowerhasbrokenhisband，Hecomesroaringuptheland!
TheKingofScotswithallhispower，CannotturnArthuroftheBower!\"
NutkinmadeawhirringnoisetosoundliketheWIND，andhetookarunningjumprightontotheheadofOldBrown!……
Thenallatoncetherewasafluttermentandascufflementandaloud\"Squeak!\"
Theothersquirrelsscutteredawayintothebushes。
Whentheycamebackverycautiously，peepingroundthetree——
therewasOldBrownsittingonhisdoor—step，quitestill，withhiseyesclosed，asifnothinghadhappened。
********
BUTNUTKINWASINHISWAISTCOATPOCKET!
Thislooksliketheendofthestory；
butitisn’t。
OldBrowncarriedNutkinintohishouse，andheldhimupbythetail，intendingtoskinhim；butNutkinpulledsoveryhardthathistailbrokeintwo，andhedashedupthestaircase，andescapedoutoftheatticwindow。
Andtothisday，ifyoumeetNutkinupatreeandaskhimariddle，hewillthrowsticksatyou，andstamphisfeetandscold，andshout——
\"Cuck—cuck—cuck—cur—r—r—cuck—k!\"
THETALEOF
BENJAMINBUNNY
[FortheChildrenofSawreyfromOldMr。Bunny]
Onemorningalittlerabbitsatonabank。
Heprickedhisearsandlistenedtothetrit—trot，trit—trotofapony。
Agigwascomingalongtheroad；itwasdrivenbyMr。McGregor，andbesidehimsatMrs。McGregorinherbestbonnet。
Assoonastheyhadpassed，littleBenjaminBunnysliddownintotheroad，andsetoff——withahop，skip，andajump——tocalluponhisrelations，wholivedinthewoodatthebackofMr。McGregor’sgarden。
Thatwoodwasfullofrabbitholes；
andintheneatest，sandiestholeofalllivedBenjamin’sauntandhiscousins——Flopsy，Mopsy，Cotton—tail，andPeter。
OldMrs。Rabbitwasawidow；sheearnedherlivingbyknittingrabbit—woolmittensandmuffatees（I
onceboughtapairatabazaar）。Shealsosoldherbs，androsemarytea，andrabbit—tobacco（whichiswhatwecalllavender）。
LittleBenjamindidnotverymuchwanttoseehisAunt。
Hecameroundthebackofthefir—
tree，andnearlytumbleduponthetopofhisCousinPeter。
Peterwassittingbyhimself。Helookedpoorly，andwasdressedinaredcottonpocket—handkerchief。
\"Peter，\"saidlittleBenjamin，inawhisper，\"whohasgotyourclothes？\"
Peterreplied，\"ThescarecrowinMr。
McGregor’sgarden，\"anddescribedhowhehadbeenchasedaboutthegarden，andhaddroppedhisshoesandcoat。
LittleBenjaminsatdownbesidehiscousinandassuredhimthatMr。
McGregorhadgoneoutinagig，andMrs。McGregoralso；andcertainlyfortheday，becauseshewaswearingherbestbonnet。
Petersaidhehopedthatitwouldrain。
AtthispointoldMrs。Rabbit’svoicewasheardinsidetherabbithole，calling：\"Cotton—tail!Cotton—tail!fetchsomemorecamomile!\"
Petersaidhethoughthemightfeelbetterifhewentforawalk。
Theywentawayhandinhand，andgotupontheflattopofthewallatthebottomofthewood。FromheretheylookeddownintoMr。McGregor’sgarden。Peter’scoatandshoeswereplainlytobeseenuponthescarecrow，toppedwithanoldtam—o’—shanterofMr。McGregor’s。
LittleBenjaminsaid：\"Itspoilspeople’sclothestosqueezeunderagate；theproperwaytogetinistoclimbdownapear—tree。\"
Peterfelldownheadfirst；butitwasofnoconsequence，asthebedbelowwasnewlyrakedandquitesoft。
Ithadbeensownwithlettuces。
Theyleftagreatmanyoddlittlefootmarksalloverthebed，especiallylittleBenjamin，whowaswearingclogs。
LittleBenjaminsaidthatthefirstthingtobedonewastogetbackPeter’sclothes，inorderthattheymightbeabletousethepocket—
handkerchief。
Theytookthemoffthescarecrow。
Therehadbeenrainduringthenight；
therewaswaterintheshoes，andthecoatwassomewhatshrunk。
Benjamintriedonthetam—o’—
shanter，butitwastoobigforhim。
Thenhesuggestedthattheyshouldfillthepocket—handkerchiefwithonions，asalittlepresentforhisAunt。
Peterdidnotseemtobeenjoyinghimself；hekepthearingnoises。
Benjamin，onthecontrary，wasperfectlyathome，andatealettuceleaf。HesaidthathewasinthehabitofcomingtothegardenwithhisfathertogetlettucesfortheirSundaydinner。
（ThenameoflittleBenjamin’spapawasoldMr。BenjaminBunny。）
Thelettucescertainlywereveryfine。
Peterdidnoteatanything；hesaidheshouldliketogohome。Presentlyhedroppedhalftheonions。
LittleBenjaminsaidthatitwasnotpossibletogetbackupthepear—treewithaloadofvegetables。Heledthewayboldlytowardstheotherendofthegarden。Theywentalongalittlewalkonplanks，underasunny，redbrickwall。
Themicesatontheirdoorstepscrackingcherry—stones；theywinkedatPeterRabbitandlittleBenjaminBunny。
PresentlyPeterletthepocket—
handkerchiefgoagain。
Theygotamongstflower—pots，andframes，andtubs。Peterheardnoisesworsethanever；hiseyeswereasbigaslolly—pops!
Hewasasteportwoinfrontofhiscousinwhenhesuddenlystopped。
Thisiswhatthoselittlerabbitssawroundthatcorner!
LittleBenjamintookonelook，andthen，inhalfaminutelessthannotime，hehidhimselfandPeterandtheonionsunderneathalargebasket……
Thecatgotupandstretchedherself，andcameandsniffedatthebasket。
Perhapsshelikedthesmellofonions!
Anyway，shesatdownuponthetopofthebasket。
ShesatthereforFIVEHOURS。
IcannotdrawyouapictureofPeterandBenjaminunderneaththebasket，becauseitwasquitedark，andbecausethesmellofonionswasfearful；itmadePeterRabbitandlittleBenjamincry。
Thesungotroundbehindthewood，anditwasquitelateintheafternoon；butstillthecatsatuponthebasket。
Atlengththerewasapitter—patter，pitter—patter，andsomebitsofmortarfellfromthewallabove。
ThecatlookedupandsawoldMr。
BenjaminBunnyprancingalongthetopofthewalloftheupperterrace。
Hewassmokingapipeofrabbit—
tobacco，andhadalittleswitchinhishand。
Hewaslookingforhisson。
OldMr。Bunnyhadnoopinionwhateverofcats。Hetookatremendousjumpoffthetopofthewallontothetopofthecat，andcuffeditoffthebasket，andkickeditintothegreenhouse，scratchingoffahandfuloffur。
Thecatwastoomuchsurprisedtoscratchback。
WhenoldMr。Bunnyhaddriventhecatintothegreenhouse，helockedthedoor。
ThenhecamebacktothebasketandtookouthissonBenjaminbytheears，andwhippedhimwiththelittleswitch。
ThenhetookouthisnephewPeter。
Thenhetookoutthehandkerchiefofonions，andmarchedoutofthegarden。
WhenMr。McGregorreturnedabouthalfanhourlaterheobservedseveralthingswhichperplexedhim。
Itlookedasthoughsomepersonhadbeenwalkingalloverthegardeninapairofclogs——onlythefootmarksweretooridiculouslylittle!
AlsohecouldnotunderstandhowthecatcouldhavemanagedtoshutherselfupINSIDEthegreenhouse，lockingthedoorupontheOUTSIDE。
WhenPetergothomehismotherforgavehim，becauseshewassogladtoseethathehadfoundhisshoesandcoat。Cotton—tailandPeterfoldedupthepocket—handkerchief，andoldMrs。
Rabbitstrunguptheonionsandhungthemfromthekitchenceiling，withthebenchesofherbsandtherabbit—
tobacco。
THETALEOF
TWOBADMICE
[ForW。M。L。W。，theLittleGirlWhoHadtheDoll’sHouse]
Onceuponatimetherewasaverybeautifuldoll’s—house；itwasredbrickwithwhitewindows，andithadrealmuslincurtainsandafrontdoorandachimney。
ItbelongedtotwoDollscalledLucindaandJane；atleastitbelongedtoLucinda，butsheneverorderedmeals。
JanewastheCook；butsheneverdidanycooking，becausethedinnerhadbeenboughtready—made，inaboxfullofshavings。
Thereweretworedlobstersandaham，afish，apudding，andsomepearsandoranges。
Theywouldnotcomeofftheplates，buttheywereextremelybeautiful。
OnemorningLucindaandJanehadgoneoutforadriveinthedoll’sperambulator。Therewasnooneinthenursery，anditwasveryquiet。
Presentlytherewasalittlescuffling，scratchingnoiseinacornernearthefireplace，wheretherewasaholeundertheskirting—board。
TomThumbputouthisheadforamoment，andthenpoppeditinagain。
TomThumbwasamouse。
Aminuteafterwards，HuncaMunca，hiswife，putherheadout，too；andwhenshesawthattherewasnooneinthenursery，sheventuredoutontheoilclothunderthecoal—box。
Thedoll’s—housestoodattheothersideofthefire—place。TomThumbandHuncaMuncawentcautiouslyacrossthehearthrug。Theypushedthefrontdoor——itwasnotfast。
TomThumbandHuncaMuncawentupstairsandpeepedintothedining—room。Thentheysqueakedwithjoy!
Suchalovelydinnerwaslaidoutuponthetable!Thereweretinspoons，andleadknivesandforks，andtwodolly—chairs——allSO
convenient!
TomThumbsettoworkatoncetocarvetheham。Itwasabeautifulshinyyellow，streakedwithred。
Theknifecrumpledupandhurthim；heputhisfingerinhismouth。
\"Itisnotboiledenough；itishard。
Youhaveatry，HuncaMunca。\"
HuncaMuncastoodupinherchair，andchoppedatthehamwithanotherleadknife。
\"It’sashardasthehamsatthecheesemonger’s，\"saidHuncaMunca。
Thehambrokeofftheplatewithajerk，androlledunderthetable。
\"Letitalone，\"saidTomThumb；
\"givemesomefish，HuncaMunca!\"
HuncaMuncatriedeverytinspooninturn；thefishwasgluedtothedish。
ThenTomThumblosthistemper。
Heputthehaminthemiddleofthefloor，andhititwiththetongsandwiththeshovel——bang，bang，smash，smash!
Thehamflewallintopieces，forunderneaththeshinypaintitwasmadeofnothingbutplaster!
ThentherewasnoendtotherageanddisappointmentofTomThumbandHuncaMunca。Theybrokeupthepudding，thelobsters，thepearsandtheoranges。
Asthefishwouldnotcomeofftheplate，theyputitintothered—hotcrinklypaperfireinthekitchen；butitwouldnotburneither。
TomThumbwentupthekitchenchimneyandlookedoutatthetop——
therewasnosoot。
WhileTomThumbwasupthechimney，HuncaMuncahadanotherdisappointment。Shefoundsometinycanistersuponthedresser，labelled——
Rice——Coffee——Sago——butwhensheturnedthemupsidedown，therewasnothinginsideexceptredandbluebeads。
Thenthosemicesettoworktodoallthemischieftheycould——especiallyTomThumb!HetookJane’sclothesoutofthechestofdrawersinherbedroom，andhethrewthemoutofthetopfloorwindow。
ButHuncaMuncahadafrugalmind。AfterpullinghalfthefeathersoutofLucinda’sbolster，sherememberedthatsheherselfwasinwantofafeatherbed。
WithTomThumbs’sassistanceshecarriedthebolsterdownstairs，andacrossthehearth—rug。Itwasdifficulttosqueezethebolsterintothemouse—
hole；buttheymanageditsomehow。
ThenHuncaMuncawentbackandfetchedachair，abook—case，abird—
cage，andseveralsmalloddsandends。Thebook—caseandthebird—
cagerefusedtogointothemousehole。
HuncaMuncaleftthembehindthecoal—box，andwenttofetchacradle。
HuncaMuncawasjustreturningwithanotherchair，whensuddenlytherewasanoiseoftalkingoutsideuponthelanding。Themicerushedbacktotheirhole，andthedollscameintothenursery。
WhatasightmettheeyesofJaneandLucinda!Lucindasatupontheupsetkitchenstoveandstared；andJaneleantagainstthekitchendresserandsmiled——butneitherofthemmadeanyremark。
Thebook—caseandthebird—cagewererescuedfromunderthecoal—
box——butHuncaMuncahasgotthecradle，andsomeofLucinda’sclothes。
Shealsohassomeusefulpotsandpans，andseveralotherthings。
Thelittlegirlthatthedoll’s—housebelongedto，said，——\"Iwillgetadolldressedlikeapoliceman!\"
Butthenursesaid，——\"Iwillsetamouse—trap!\"
SothatisthestoryofthetwoBadMice，——buttheywerenotsoveryverynaughtyafterall，becauseTomThumbpaidforeverythinghebroke。
Hefoundacrookedsixpenceunderthehearth—rug；anduponChristmasEve，heandHuncaMuncastuffeditintooneofthestockingsofLucindaandJane。
Andveryearlyeverymorning——
beforeanybodyisawake——HuncaMuncacomeswithherdust—panandherbroomtosweeptheDollies’house!
THETALEOF
MRS。TIGGY—WINKLE
[FortheRealLittleLucieofNewlands]
OnceuponatimetherewasalittlegirlcalledLucie，wholivedatafarmcalledLittle—town。Shewasagoodlittlegirl——onlyshewasalwayslosingherpocket—handkerchiefs!
OnedaylittleLuciecameintothefarm—yardcrying——oh，shedidcryso!
\"I’velostmypocket—handkin!Threehandkinsandapinny!HaveYOUseenthem，TabbyKitten？\"
TheKittenwentonwashingherwhitepaws；
soLucieaskedaspeckledhen——
\"SallyHenny—penny，haveYOU
foundthreepocket—handkins？\"
Butthespeckledhenranintoabarn，clucking——
\"Igobarefoot，barefoot，barefoot!\"
AndthenLucieaskedCockRobinsittingonatwig。CockRobinlookedsidewaysatLuciewithhisbrightblackeye，andheflewoverastileandaway。
LucieclimbeduponthestileandlookedupatthehillbehindLittle—
town——ahillthatgoesup——up——intothecloudsasthoughithadnotop!
Andagreatwayupthehillsideshethoughtshesawsomewhitethingsspreaduponthegrass。
Luciescrambledupthehillasfastashershortlegswouldcarryher；sheranalongasteeppath—way——upandup——untilLittle—townwasrightawaydownbelow——shecouldhavedroppedapebbledownthechimney!
Presentlyshecametoaspring，bubblingoutfromthehillside。
Someonehadstoodatincanuponastonetocatchthewater——butthewaterwasalreadyrunningover，forthecanwasnobiggerthananegg—
cup!Andwherethesanduponthepathwaswet——therewerefootmarksofaVERYsmallperson。
Lucieranon，andon。
Thepathendedunderabigrock。
Thegrasswasshortandgreen，andtherewereclothes—propscutfrombrackenstems，withlinesofplaitedrushes，andaheapoftinyclothespins——butnopocket—handkerchiefs!
Buttherewassomethingelse——adoor!straightintothehill；andinsideitsomeonewassinging——
\"Lily—whiteandclean，oh!
Withlittlefrillsbetween，oh!
Smoothandhot—redrustyspotNeverherebeseen，oh!\"
Lucieknocked—once—twice，andinterruptedthesong。Alittlefrightenedvoicecalledout\"Who’sthat？\"
Lucieopenedthedoor：andwhatdoyouthinktherewasinsidethehill？——anicecleankitchenwithaflaggedfloorandwoodenbeams——
justlikeanyotherfarmkitchen。OnlytheceilingwassolowthatLucie’sheadnearlytouchedit；andthepotsandpansweresmall，andsowaseverythingthere。
Therewasanicehotsingeysmell；
andatthetable，withanironinherhand，stoodaverystoutshortpersonstaringanxiouslyatLucie。
Herprintgownwastuckedup，andshewaswearingalargeapronoverherstripedpetticoat。Herlittleblacknosewentsniffle，sniffle，snuffle，andhereyeswenttwinkle，twinkle；andunderneathhercap—whereLuciehadyellowcurls—thatlittlepersonhadPRICKLES!
\"Whoareyou？\"saidLucie。\"Haveyouseenmypocket—handkins？\"
Thelittlepersonmadeabob—
curtsey——\"Ohyes，ifyouplease’m；mynameisMrs。Tiggy—winkle；ohyesifyouplease’m，I’manexcellentclear—
starcher!\"Andshetooksomethingoutoftheclothesbasket，andspreaditontheironing—blanket。
\"What’sthatthing？\"saidLucie—
\"that’snotmypocket—handkin？\"
\"Ohno，ifyouplease’m；that’salittlescarletwaist—coatbelongingtoCockRobin!\"
Andsheironeditandfoldedit，andputitononeside。
Thenshetooksomethingelseoffaclothes—horse——\"Thatisn’tmypinny？\"
saidLucie。
\"Ohno，ifyouplease’m；that’sadamasktable—clothbelongingtoJennyWren；lookhowit’sstainedwithcurrantwine!It’sverybadtowash!\"
saidMrs。Tiggy—winkle。
Mrs。Tiggy—winkle’snosewentsnifflesnifflesnuffle，andhereyeswenttwinkletwinkle；andshefetchedanotherhotironfromthefire。
\"There’soneofmypocket—
handkins!\"criedLucie——\"andthere’smypinny!\"
Mrs。Tiggy—winkleironedit，andgofferedit，andshookoutthefrills。
\"OhthatISlovely!\"saidLucie。
\"Andwhatarethoselongyellowthingswithfingerslikegloves？\"
\"Ohthat’sapairofstockingsbelongingtoSallyHenny—penny——lookhowshe’sworntheheelsoutwithscratchingintheyard!She’llverysoongobarefoot!\"saidMrs。Tiggy—winkle。
\"Why，there’sanotherhankersniff——
butitisn’tmine；it’sred？\"
\"Ohno，ifyouplease’m；thatonebelongstooldMrs。Rabbit；anditDID
sosmellofonions!I’vehadtowashitseparately，Ican’tgetoutthatsmell。\"
\"There’sanotheroneofmine，\"saidLucie。
\"Whatarethosefunnylittlewhitethings？\"
\"That’sapairofmittensbelongingtoTabbyKitten；Ionlyhavetoironthem；shewashesthemherself。\"
\"There’smylastpocket—handkin!\"
saidLucie。
\"Andwhatareyoudippingintothebasinofstarch？\"
\"They’relittledickyshirt—frontsbelongingtoTomTitmouse——mostterribleparticular!\"saidMrs。Tiggy—
winkle。\"NowI’vefinishedmyironing；
I’mgoingtoairsomeclothes。\"
\"Whatarethesedearsoftfluffythings？\"saidLucie。
\"OhthosearewoollycoatsbelongingtothelittlelambsatSkelghyl。\"
\"Willtheirjacketstakeoff？\"askedLucie。
\"Ohyes，ifyouplease’m；lookatthesheep—markontheshoulder。Andhere’sonemarkedforGatesgarth，andthreethatcomefromLittle—town。
They’reALWAYSmarkedatwashing!\"
saidMrs。Tiggy—winkle。
Andshehungupallsortsandsizesofclothes——smallbrowncoatsofmice；andonevelvetyblackmoleskinwaist—coat；andaredtail—coatwithnotailbelongingtoSquirrelNutkin；
andaverymuchshrunkbluejacketbelongingtoPeterRabbit；andapetticoat，notmarked，thathadgonelostinthewashing——andatlastthebasketwasempty!
ThenMrs。Tiggy—winklemadetea——acupforherselfandacupforLucie。Theysatbeforethefireonabenchandlookedsidewaysatoneanother。Mrs。Tiggy—winkle’shand，holdingthetea—cup，wasveryverybrown，andveryverywrinklywiththesoap—suds；andallthroughhergownandhercap，therewereHAIRPINS
stickingwrongendout；sothatLuciedidn’tliketosittoonearher。
Whentheyhadfinishedtea，theytieduptheclothesinbundles；andLucie’spocket—handkerchiefswerefoldedupinsidehercleanpinny，andfastenedwithasilversafety—pin。
Andthentheymadeupthefirewithturf，andcameoutandlockedthedoor，andhidthekeyunderthedoor—sill。
ThenawaydownthehilltrottedLucieandMrs。Tiggy—winklewiththebundlesofclothes!
Allthewaydownthepathlittleanimalscameoutoftheferntomeetthem；theveryfirstthattheymetwerePeterRabbitandBenjaminBunny!
Andshegavethemtheirnicecleanclothes；andallthelittleanimalsandbirdsweresoverymuchobligedtodearMrs。Tiggy—winkle。
Sothatatthebottomofthehillwhentheycametothestile，therewasnothinglefttocarryexceptLucie’sonelittlebundle。
Luciescrambledupthestilewiththebundleinherhand；andthensheturnedtosay\"Good—night，\"andtothankthewasher—woman。——ButwhataVERYoddthing!Mrs。Tiggy—winklehadnotwaitedeitherforthanksorforthewashingbill!
Shewasrunningrunningrunningupthehill——andwherewasherwhitefrilledcap？andhershawl？andhergown—andherpetticoat？
AndHOWsmallshehadgrown——
andHOWbrown——andcoveredwithPRICKLES!
Why!Mrs。Tiggy—winklewasnothingbutaHEDGEHOG!
******
（NowsomepeoplesaythatlittleLuciehadbeenasleepuponthestile——butthenhowcouldshehavefoundthreecleanpocket—handkinsandapinny，pinnedwithasilversafety—pin？
Andbesides——IhaveseenthatdoorintothebackofthehillcalledCatBells——andbesides_I_amverywellacquaintedwithdearMrs。Tiggy—winkle!）
THEPIEAND
THEPATTY—PAN
Pussy—catsitsbythefire——howshouldshebefair？
Inwalksthelittledog——says\"Pussyareyouthere？
HowdoyoudoMistressPussy？MistressPussy，howdoyoudo？\"
\"Ithankyoukindly，littledog，Ifareaswellasyou!\"
_OldRhyme]
OnceuponatimetherewasaPussy—catcalledRibby，whoinvitedalittledogcalledDuchesstotea。
\"Comeingoodtime，mydearDuchess，\"saidRibby’sletter，\"andwewillhavesomethingsoverynice。Iambakingitinapie—dish——apie—dishwithapinkrim。Younevertastedanythingsogood!AndYOUshalleatitall!_I_willeatmuffins，mydearDuchess!\"wroteRibby。
\"Iwillcomeverypunctually，mydearRibby，\"wroteDuchess；andthenattheendsheadded——\"Ihopeitisn’tmouse？\"
Andthenshethoughtthatdidnotlookquitepolite；soshescratchedout\"isn’tmouse\"andchangeditto\"I
hopeitwillbefine，\"andshegaveherlettertothepostman。
ButshethoughtagreatdealaboutRibby’spie，andshereadRibby’sletteroverandoveragain。
\"IamdreadfullyafraiditWILLbemouse!\"saidDuchesstoherself——\"I
reallycouldn’t，COULDN’Teatmousepie。AndIshallhavetoeatit，becauseitisaparty。AndMYpiewasgoingtobevealandham。Apinkandwhitepie—dish!andsoismine；justlikeRibby’sdishes；theywerebothboughtatTabithaTwitchit’s。\"
Duchesswentintoherlarderandtookthepieoffashelfandlookedatit。
\"Ohwhatagoodidea!Whyshouldn’tIrushalongandputmypieintoRibby’sovenwhenRibbyisn’tthere？\"
RibbyinthemeantimehadreceivedDuchess’sanswer，andassoonasshewassurethatthelittledogwouldcome——shepoppedHERpieintotheoven。Thereweretwoovens，oneabovetheother；someotherknobsandhandleswereonlyornamentalandnotintendedtoopen。Ribbyputthepieintotheloweroven；thedoorwasverystiff。
\"Thetopovenbakestooquickly，\"
saidRibbytoherself。
Ribbyputonsomecoalandsweptupthehearth。Thenshewentoutwithacantothewell，forwatertofillupthekettle。
Thenshebegantosettheroominorder，foritwasthesitting—roomaswellasthekitchen。
WhenRibbyhadlaidthetableshewentoutdownthefieldtothefarm，tofetchmilkandbutter。
Whenshecameback，shepeepedintothebottomoven；thepielookedverycomfortable。
Ribbyputonhershawlandbonnetandwentoutagainwithabasket，tothevillageshoptobuyapacketoftea，apoundoflumpsugar，andapotofmarmalade。
Andjustatthesametime，DuchesscameoutofHERhouse，attheotherendofthevillage。
RibbymetDuchesshalf—waydownthestreet，alsocarryingabasket，coveredwithacloth。Theyonlybowedtooneanother；theydidnotspeak，becausetheyweregoingtohaveaparty。
AssoonasDuchesshadgotroundthecorneroutofsight——shesimplyran!StraightawaytoRibby’shouse!
Ribbywentintotheshopandboughtwhatsherequired，andcameout，afterapleasantgossipwithCousinTabithaTwitchit。
RibbywentontoTimothyBaker’sandboughtthemuffins。Thenshewenthome。
Thereseemedtobeasortofscufflingnoiseinthebackpassage，asshewascominginatthefrontdoor。
