she. "I haven't had a good square meal for days and days, nor a
good rest. That is what makes me so dreadfully nervous. Sometimes,
when we had been driven from place to place until we had caught up
with Jack Frost, there would be nothing but ice excepting in small
places in a river where the water runs too swiftly to freeze. We
would just have to drop into one of these to rest a little, because
we had flown so far that our wings ached as if they would drop
off. Then just as we would think we were safe for a little while,
there would come the bang of a terrible gun. Then we would have
to fly again as long as we could, and finally come back to the same
place because there was no other place where we could go. Then we
would have to do it all over again until night came. Sometimes I
think that those men with terrible guns must hate us and want to
kill every one of us. If they didn't, they would have a little bit
of pity. They simply haven't any hearts at all."

"It does seem so," agreed Peter. "But wait until you know Farmer
Brown's boy! HE'S got a heart!" he added brightly.

"I don't want to know him," retorted Mrs. Quack. "If he comes near
here, you'll see me leave in a hurry. I wouldn't trust one of them,
not one minute. You don't think he will come, do you?"

Peter sat up and looked across the Green Meadows, and his heart
sank. "He's coming now, but I'm sure he won't hurt you, Mrs. Quack,"
said he.

But Mrs. Quack wouldn't wait to see. With a hasty promise to come
back when the way was clear, she jumped into the air and on swift
wings disappeared towards the Big River.