Chapter II “Not a creature was stirring Not even a mouse—”
Chapter II “Not a creature was stirring Not even a mouse—”
Bright and early the next morning, Mr. Bushy Tail was up, had washed his little face and paws, and brushed out his pretty soft fur, of which he was justly a trifle vain. The sun was shining, and although the air was very cold, he decidedit was best for him to start for his cousin Red Squirrel’s.
His wife bundled him up in a warm sweater and socks, which she had made him for a Christmas present. Over his shoulder he slung a bag for the corn, and promising surely to be back in two days time, he trotted away, after having kissed the entire family three times all around.
The traveling was much betterthan he had feared it would be; and he was fortunate enough to find a bush full of late rose-hips, from which he made a good dinner.
Just as it was growing dark, he reached his cousin Red Squirrel’s house tree, and knocked on the door. Receiving no answer, he went in, for the neighborhood was a very honest one, and nobody locked their front doors, or their back ones either.
Poor Mr. Bushy Tail went from room to room, but to his sorrow he found no one, not even a mouse. There were some acorns and dried apples stowed away in one corner, so he made a passable supper, but he was worried by the thought, that the next day he must go on to theChipmunks’for the corn, and so might be unable to reach home the same night, as he had promised his little wife.
However, there was no use in borrowing trouble, so he curled himself up in a warm corner, covered his back with his broad bushy tail, and was soon fast asleep, and dreaming that he had carried home a whole barrel full of food.