he had reached the place where Granny was waiting for him, his face
wore a very impudent look.

"Well," said Granny Fox, "what shall we do to catch him?"

"Learn to swim like a fish and fly like a bird," replied Reddy in such
a saucy tone that Granny had hard work to keep from boxing his ears.

"You mean that you think he can't be caught?" said she quietly.

"I don't think anything about it; I know he can't!" snapped Reddy.
"Not by us, anyway," he added.

"I suppose you wouldn't even try?" retorted Granny.

"I'm old enough to know when I'm wasting my time," replied Reddy
with a toss of his head.

"In other words you think I'm a silly old Fox who has lost her senses,"
said Granny sharply.

"No-o. I didn't say that," protested Reddy, looking very uncomfortable.

"But you think it," declared Granny. "Now look here, Mr. Smarty, you
do just as I tell you. You creep back there where you can watch Quacker
and all that happens, and mind that you keep out of his sight. Now go."

Reddy went. There was noth-ing else to do. He didn't dare disobey.
Granny watched until Reddy had readied his hiding-place. Then what
do you think she did? Why, she walked right out on the little beach