THE SQUIRREL, THE HARE AND THE LITTLE GREY RABBIT (7)

THE SQUIRREL, THE HARE AND THE LITTLE GREY RABBIT (7)

She hurried along the path, which took her through dark and gloomy glades, and brought her to an ugly black house, with the shutters up and nettles and weeds growing in the garden.

Then she lay down under a bush and waited.


A thick black smoke came out of the chimney, and she could hear the crackle of sticks.

The door opened and a great savage Weasel stood on the doorstep.
" I shall need some more sticks after all. " he said.
" They will be safe in there. "

He shut the door and turned the key in the lock. Then he ran about among the bushes picking up sticks.

" Too-wait, Too-whoo, " called an Owl overhead.

The Weasel looked up. He was afraid of Wise Owl, and he dared not move.

The Owl saw Grey Rabbit, and knew her as the owner of his door-knocker.

But Grey Rabbit made a dash, seized the key, and was in the house whist the Weasel still gazed up at the foe overhead.

Then the Owl flew away, and he wiped his brow.

"That was a near thing, " he said.
" Now what about some acorn sauce ? "
And he stopped to pick up a few acorns and carried them in with his wood.

Little Grey Rabbit called, " Hare, Squirrel, where are you ? It's me, It's Rabbit. "

" Here, here; O, save us, dear Grey Rabbit, " cried two piteous voices from a bag under the sofa.

Quickly Rabbit cut it open and let the two unhappy ones out, but they were so bruised and weak they could hardly walk.

" Upstairs with you, " cried Grey Rabbit as the Weasel came home.
" Take this rope and let yourselves out by the window. I will follow. "

Then she seized a stool which stood on the hearth, and crept into the bag.

Grey Rabbit squeaked and moaned, and the Weasel chuckled as he piled the wood on the fire.
 
Grey Rabbit lay watching him through the hole and waiting for a chance.

Upstairs Squirrel and Hare fastened the rope to a bed-post and slid down in to the nettles.

Away they went, strauggling through the bushes, over brambles and across ditches.

(つづく　7/8) 

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