a little bit nearer. He wasn't going to disobey old Granny Fox.
Oh, no! No, indeed! She had told him to stay in the house until
she returned. She hadn't said that he couldn't look out! Reddy
crawled a little nearer to the open door and the sunlight.

"Granny Fox is getting old and timid. Just as if my eyes aren't
as sharp as hers! I'd like to see Farmer Brown's boy get near me
when I am really on the watch," said Reddy Fox to himself. And
then he crept a little nearer to the open door.

How bright and warm and pleasant it did look outside! Reddy just
knew that he would feel ever and ever so much better if he could
stretch out on the doorstep. He could hear Jenny Wren fussing and
scolding at someone or something, and he wondered what it could
be. He crept just a wee bit nearer. He could hear Bowser's voice,
but it was so faint that he had to prick up his sharp little ears
and listen with all his might to hear it at all.

"Granny's led them way off on the mountain. Good old Granny!"
thought Reddy Fox. Then he crawled right up to the very doorway.
He could still hear Jenny Wren scolding and fussing.

"What does ail her?

"If it's hot or if it's cold,
Jenny Wren will always scold.
From morn till night the whole day long
Her limber tongue is going strong.

"I'm going to find out what it means," said Reddy, talking to