though they _had_ grown a great deal, and had disguised themselves by
the simple method of licking the chocolate off each other! Rudolf and
Ann hoped Peter would not notice it, but nothing of the sort ever
escaped him. He walked around in front of the two mice, who tried
vainly not to meet his eye, looked at them long and earnestly, and
said:

"I say, Mr. Mouses, was you always white?"

The mice turned a pale greenish color in their embarrassment and
looked nervously at each other, but answered never a word.

"I thought," continued Peter, staring steadily at them, "that last
time I saw you you was choc'late. Did you wash it off--on purpose?" he
added sternly.

"Excuse me, sir, we don't believe in washing," muttered one of the
poor things hastily.

Ann shook her head at Peter. "Hush!" she whispered. "You mustn't be
rude to them when they are going to lend us their boat so kindly."
Then she asked in a loud voice, hoping to change the subject: "Who is
going to row? Will you, Mr. False Hare?"

"Why certainly, dearie, I adore rowing," said the False Hare sweetly.

"Then you will have to, Rudolf, and I will look after Peter. 'He is
always _so_ apt to fall out of a boat. I dare say the mice will be
glad of a rest."