The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin (11)

The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin (11)

  Now old Mr. Brown took an interest in eggs ; he opened one eye and shut it again.
  But still he did not speak.



  Nutkin became more and more impertinent ー
  " Old Mr. B ! Old Mr. B !
    Hickamore, Hackamore, on the King's kitchen door ;
    All the King's horses, and all the King's men,
    Couldn't drive Hickamore, Hackamore,
    Off the King's kitchen door. "

  Nutkin danced up and down like a sunbeam ; but still Old Brown said nothing at all.

  Nutkin began again ー
  " Arthur O'Bower has broken his band.
    He comes roaring up the land !
    The king of Scots with all his power,
    Cannot turn Arthur of the Bower ! "

   Nutkin made a whirring noise to sound like the wind, and he took a running jump right onto the hand of Old Brown ! . . .

   Then all at once there was a flutterment and a scufflement and a loud " Squeak ! "



  The other squirrels scuttered away into the bushes.   

(11/)