"Why did you make it at shadow-time?" asked Mrs. Peter.

"Because that will give all our friends a chance to come," replied
Peter. "Those who sleep through the day will have waked up, and those
who sleep through the night will not have gone to bed. Besides, it will
be safer for some of the smallest of them if the Black Shadows are about
for them to hide in on their way here."

"How thoughtful you are," said little Mrs. Peter with a little sigh of
happiness.

Of course, every one who could walk, creep, or fly headed for the Old
Briar-patch the next day at shadow-time, for almost every one knows and
loves Peter Rabbit, and of course every one was very anxious to meet
Mrs. Peter. From the Smiling Pool came Billy Mink, Little Joe Otter,
Jerry Muskrat, Spotty the Turtle, and old Grandfather Frog. From the
Green Forest came Bobby Coon, Unc' Billy Possum and Mrs. Possum, Prickly
Porky the Porcupine, Whitefoot the Woodmouse, Happy Jack the Gray
Squirrel, Chatterer the Red Squirrel, Blacky the Crow, Sammy Jay, Ol'
Mistah Buzzard, Mistah Mockingbird, and Sticky-toes the Treetoad. From
the Green Meadows came Danny Meadow Mouse, Old Mr. Toad, Digger the
Badger, Jimmy Skunk, and Striped Chipmunk, who lives near the old stone-
wall between the edge of the Green Meadows and the Green Forest. Johnny
and Polly Chuck came down from the Old Orchard and Drummer the
Woodpecker came from the same place.

Of course Old Man Coyote paid his respects, and when he came everybody
but Prickly Porky and Digger the Badger and Jimmy Skunk made way for him
with great respect. Granny and Reddy Fox and Hooty the Owl didn't call,
but they sat where they could look on and make fun. You see, Peter had