but Farmer Brown's boy is different. If all of them were like him,
we wouldn't have a thing to fear from them. He has a heart. Yes,
indeed, he has a heart. Now you take my advice and eat whatever he
has put there for you, be thankful, and stop worrying. Peter and
I will keep watch and warn you if there is any danger."

I don't know as even this would have overcome Mrs. Quack's fears
if it hadn't been for the taste of that good corn in her mouth, and
her empty stomach. She couldn't, she just couldn't resist these,
and presently she was back among the rushes, hunting out the corn
and wheat as fast as ever she could. When at last she could eat no
more, she felt so comfortable that somehow the Smiling Pool didn't
seem such a dangerous place after all, and she quite forgot Farmer
Brown's boy. She found a snug hiding-place among the rushes too
far out from the bank for Reddy Fox to surprise her, and then with
a sleepy "Good night" to Jerry and Peter, she tucked her head under
her wing and soon was fast asleep.

Peter Rabbit tiptoed away, and then he hurried lipperty-lipperty-lip
to the dear Old Briar-patch to tell Mrs. Peter all about Mrs. Quack.




IX

PETER RABBIT MAKES AN EARLY CALL


Peter Rabbit was so full of interest in Mrs. Quack and her troubles