after all, boys. I'm sorry, but--Oh dear! There it goes again!" and that
poor, old gentleman rabbit had to lean on his crutch, because his legs
hurt him so.

"Oh, we only want you to look on, and tell us when the game is going all
right," said Jimmie very kindly. "You can have a seat in the shade, and
you will decide who's out, and who makes a run, and which side wins."

"Well, I might manage that," replied Uncle Wiggily. "Come on, but please
walk very slowly."

So they walked on very slowly, and pretty soon they met Johnnie and Billie
Bushytail with Sister Sallie. And the little girl squirrel was singing:

"Hippity-hop to the barber shop
To buy a lolly-pop-lally.
One for me and one for thee
And one for Sister Sallie."

"Come on, let's play ball," called Jimmie to Johnnie and Billie. The
Bushytail brothers said they would, and on they all went, through the
woods and over the fields, and pretty soon, oh, maybe in about two quacks
and a half, whom should they meet but Sammie and Susie Littletail. Sammie
said he would play ball, and Susie said she would look on. Then along came
Lulu and Alice Wibblewobble, and Lulu had her white kittie with her.

"My kittie ought to play, as long as I can't play, especially as she knew
how to roll a ball," spoke Lulu. So Jimmie said the kittie could very
nicely with her paws.