But Peter Rabbit, with nothing to worry him so long as he stayed in the
Old Briar-patch, couldn't eat and grew more and more unhappy.

"I don't know what's the matter with me. I really don't know what's the
matter with me," said Peter, as he turned up his nose at a patch of
sweet, tender young clover. "I think I'll go and cut some new paths
through the Old Briar-patch."

Now, though he didn't know it, that was the very best thing he could do.
It gave him something to think about. For two or three days he was very
busy cutting new paths, and his appetite came back. But when he had made
all the paths he wanted, and there was nothing else to do, he lost his
appetite again. He just sat still all day long and moped and thought and
thought and thought. The trouble with Peter Rabbit's thinking was that
it was all about himself and how unhappy he was. Of course, the more he
thought about this, the more unhappy he grew.

"If I only had some one to talk to, I'd feel better," said he to
himself. That reminded him of Johnny Chuck and what good times they used
to have together when Johnny lived on the Green Meadows. Then he thought
of how happy Johnny seemed with his little family in his new home in the
Old Orchard, in spite of all the worries his family made him. And right
then Peter found out what was the matter with him.

"I believe I'm just lonesome," said Peter. "Yes, Sir, that's what's the
matter with me.

"It isn't good to be alone,
I've often heard my mother say.