the hill.

She was wearing a shawl and a poke bonnet.

[Illustration]

When she reached the top of the hill, she saw a wood in the distance.

She thought that it looked a safe quiet spot.

[Illustration]

Jemima Puddle-duck was not much in the habit of flying. She ran downhill a
few yards flapping her shawl, and then she jumped off into the air.

[Illustration]

She flew beautifully when she had got a good start.

She skimmed along over the tree-tops until she saw an open place in the
middle of the wood, where the trees and brushwood had been cleared.

[Illustration]

Jemima alighted rather heavily, and began to waddle about in search of a
convenient dry nesting-place. She rather fancied a tree-stump amongst some
tall fox-gloves.

But--seated upon the stump, she was startled to find an elegantly dressed
gentleman reading a newspaper.