never do such a thing as that again. I'm ashamed of what I did; yet
I'm glad I did it. I'm glad because I've learned some things. I've
learned that Farmer Brown's boy isn't as much to be feared as he
used to be. I've learned that Hooty isn't as stupid as I thought he
was. I've learned that while it may be all right for us people of
the Green Forest to try to outwit each other we ought to protect
each other against common dangers. And I've learned something I
didn't know before, and that is that Hooty the Owl is the very first
of us to set up housekeeping. Now I think I'll go hunt for an honest
meal." And he did.



CHAPTER XIV: Blacky Makes A Call

Judge no one by his style of dress;
Your ignorance you thus confess.
- Blacky the Crow.

"Caw, caw, caw, caw." There was no need of looking to see who that
was. Peter Rabbit knew without looking. Mrs. Quack knew without
looking. Just the same, both looked up. Just alighting in the top of
a tall tree was Blacky the Crow. "Caw, caw, caw, caw," he repeated,
looking down at Peter and Mrs. Quack and Mr. Quack and the six young
Quacks. "I hope I am not interrupting any secret gossip."

"Not at all," Peter hastened to say. "Mrs. Quack was just telling
me of the troubles and clangers in bringing up a young family in the
Far North. How did you know the Quacks had arrived?"