sight. He was almost ready to give up, when he almost stumbled over
the stranger, hiding in a little clump of bushes. And then a funny
thing happened. What do you think it was?

Why, all the anger left Johnny Chuck. His hair no longer stood on end.
He didn't know why, but all of a sudden he felt foolish, very foolish
indeed.

"Who are you?" he demanded gruffly.

"I--I'm Polly Chuck," replied the stranger, in a small, timid voice.



XI

THE GREATEST THING IN THE WORLD


Johnny Chuck had begun to think about his clothes. Yes, Sir, he spent
a whole lot of time thinking about how he looked and wishing that he
had a handsomer coat. For the first time in all his life he began to
envy Reddy Fox, because of the beautiful red coat of which Reddy is so
proud. It seemed to Johnny that his own coat was so plain and so dull
that no one would look at it twice. Besides, it was torn now, because
of the great fight Johnny had had with the old gray Chuck who came
down from the Old Pasture. Johnny smoothed it down and brushed it
carefully and tried to make himself look as spick and span as he knew
how.