Peter was thinking of this as he and Johnny Chuck stretched out in a
sunny spot to get their breath and rest. He had never thought of it
before, but now that he had noticed it, he couldn't remember that he
ever had seen little Mr. Greensnake wink, nor any of Mr. Greensnake's
relatives. He mentioned the matter to Johnny Chuck.

"That's so," replied Johnny thoughtfully. "I never have seen any of
them wink, either. Do you suppose they can wink?"

"Let's go ask Mr. Greensnake," said Peter.

Up they hopped and raced over to the grassy tussock where Mr.
Greensnake lay, but to all their questions he would make no reply save
to run out his tongue at them. Finally they gave up asking him.

"I tell you what, let's go over to the Smiling Pool and ask
Grandfather Frog. He'll be sure to know, and perhaps, if he is feeling
good, he'll tell us a story," said Peter.

So off they scampered to the Smiling Pool. There they found
Grandfather Frog sitting on his big green lily-pad just as usual, and
Peter knew by the look in his great, goggly eyes that Grandfather Frog
had a good breakfast of foolish green flies tucked away inside his
white and yellow waistcoat. His eyes twinkled as Peter and Johnny very
politely wished him good morning.

"Good morning," said he gruffly.

But Peter had seen that twinkle in his eyes and knew that Grandfather