THE SQUIRREL, THE HARE AND THE LITTLE GREY RABBIT (6)

THE SQUIRREL, THE HARE AND THE LITTLE GREY RABBIT (6)

The bag was heavy,and as she dragged it into the basket she made a noise.

Grey Rabbit picked up the basket and fled for the door.
She ran down the street as if an army were after her, but all was still, and, except for five ducks waddling across the road, she saw no one.

The journey home was pleasant, and she made plans as she tripped along in and out of the shadows.

" I shall dig up that bit of grass under the hedge and pick out the stones.
Then I shall sow three rows of carrot seeds.
I shall sow radishes next to them, and parsley next.

I will dig that good piece in the middle for the bird seed, and when the young yellows come out they will make nests in the hedge.

" Ah, " she went on, getting more and more delighted with her plans, " I may get hundreds and hundreds of little birds from this bag of seed, and hundreds of carrots from this packet, and hundreds of radishes from this, and hundredsーGoodness me, whatever is this ? "

For she had reached home and the door stood wide open.
No one was within.
Upstairs she ran, in the bedrooms, in the attic and the box-room.

No one was there.

In the kitchen the chair were upset and the table pushed on one side.
Bits of red hair from Squirrel's tail lay on the floor, and sleeve of Hare's coat lay dirty in a corner.

" Oh, my dear Squirrel, my darling Hare, " she cried, with tears running down her cheeks.

" Has that bad Weasel got you ? "

She took a pair of scissors, a rope, and a stick, pair of scissors, a rope, and a stick, and started out to look for her companions.

Over the brook she found the trace of the Weasel, and at one side the grass was flattened and flowers were broken as if a heavy object had been dragged along.

" He has put them in a bag and dragged them home, " she murmured, as she examined the track.

" Poor, poor things !  I do hope they are alive. If only I hadn't stopped so long choosing bird seed."

(つづく　6/8)