the bank could mean but one thing -- danger! It was all a trick!
He saw through it now. Like a flash he turned. There was the
whistle of stiff wings beating the air and the patter of feet
striking the water as he got under way. Then he flew out to the
safety of the open water. Granny sprang, but she was just too late
and succeeded in doing no more than wet her feet.

Of course, Granny didn't know what had frightened Quacker, not at
first, anyway. But she had her suspicions. She turned and looked
up at the place where Reddy had been hiding. She couldn't see him.
Then she bounded up the bank. There was no Reddy there, but far
away across the snow-covered Green Meadows was a red spot growing
smaller and smaller. Reddy was running away. Then she knew.
At first Granny was very angry. You know it is a dreadful thing to
be hungry and have a good dinner disappear just as it is almost
within reach.

"I'll teach that young scamp a lesson he won't soon forget when I
get home," she muttered, as she watched him. Then she went back to
the edge of the Big River and there she found a dead fish which had
been washed ashore. It was a very good fish, and when she had eaten
it Granny felt better.

"Anyway," thought she, "I have taught him a new trick and one he is
n't likely to forget. He knows now that Granny still knows a few
tricks that he doesn't, and next time he won't feel so sure he knows
it all. I guess it was worth while even if I didn't catch Quacker.
My, but he would have tasted good!" Granny smacked her lips and
started for home.