Old Briar-patch and grinned rather sheepishly. "What was that you
were saying about Reddy Fox?" he asked again.

"I've a good mind not to tell you, Mr. Know-it-all," exclaimed
Johnny Chuck.

"Oh, please, Johnny Chuck," pleaded Peter Rabbit.

Finally Johnny gave in. "I said that Reddy Fox can't walk. Aren't
you glad, Peter?"

"How do you know?" asked Peter, for Peter is very suspicious of
Reddy Fox, and has to watch out for his tricks all the time.

"Jimmy Skunk told me. He was up by Reddy's house early this
morning and saw Reddy try to walk. He tried and tried and
couldn't. You won't have to watch out for Reddy Fox for some
time, Peter. Serves him right, doesn't it?''

"Let's go up and see if it really is true!" said Peter suddenly.

"All right," said Johnny Chuck, and off they started.



X. Poor Reddy Fox

Peter Rabbit and Johnny Chuck stole up the hill toward the home
of Reddy Fox. As they drew near, they crept from one bunch of
grass to another and from bush to bush, stopping behind each to