seen you for a long time!"

"Whar yo' been, Jimmy Skunk?" asked Unc' Billy.

Jimmy winked one eye. "Getting my breakfast of nice fresh eggs," he
replied.

Unc' Billy Possum's mouth began to water. "Did yo' leave any?" he
anxiously inquired.

Jimmy Skunk allowed that he did, and Unc' Billy gave a long sigh, as
he watched Jimmy Skunk amble off up the Lone Little Path. Unc' Billy
couldn't sleep any more now. No, Sir, he couldn't sleep a wink. All he
could do was to think how hungry he was. He would shut his eyes, and
then it seemed as if he could see right into Farmer Brown's hen-house,
and there were eggs, eggs, eggs, everywhere. Finally Unc' Billy made
up his mind.

"Ah'm going up there the very first dark night!" said he.




XIV

OLD MRS. POSSUM GROWS WORRIED


Old Mrs. Possum counted her babies to be sure that they all were
tucked snug and warm in their bed in the old hollow tree in the Green