Mrs. Duck waddled ashore. "We must tell somebody else," said she.

[Illustration:]

At that moment Billy Rabbit poked his inquisitive nose through the
hedge.

"You seem very much amused," said he.

"So will you be when you know. I've hidden the Dame's shoe!" Billy's
laugh spread from ear to ear.

"That's fine fun!" he cried, and off he ran to tell the woodfolk.

[Illustration:]

[Illustration:]

So many of them had collected by now that there was quite a
procession.

"Let's go back and see my Dame look for her shoe," suggested Wee Peter
Pug.

He led the way and they all followed him. They were all speaking at
once and made such a commotion that all the wee creatures in the
garden wondered what had happened.

[Illustration:]