hard that he hadn't seen Sammy arrive.

"What can't be done?" repeated Sammy. "There isn't anything that
can't be done. There are plenty of things that you can't do, but
what you can't do some one else can. Just tuck that fact away in
that empty head of yours and never say can't." You know Sammy dearly
loves to tease Peter.

Peter made a good-natured face at Sammy. "Which means, I suppose,
that what I can't do you can. You always did have a pretty good
opinion of yourself, Sammy," said he.

"Nothing of the kind," retorted Sammy. "I simply mean that nobody
can do everything, and that very often two heads are better than
one. It struck me that you had something on your mind, and I thought
I might be able to help you get rid of it. But of course, if you
don't want my help, supposing I could and would give it to you,
that is an end of the matter, and I guess I'll be on my way. The
Old Briar-patch is rather a dull place anyway."

Peter started to make a sharp retort, but thought better of it.
Instead he replied mildly: "I was just trying to think of some way
to help poor Mrs. Quack."

"Help Mrs. Quack!" exclaimed Sammy in surprise. "Where under the
sun did you get acquainted with Mrs. Quack? What's the matter with
her? She always has looked to me quite able to help herself."

"Well, she isn't. That is, she needs others to help her just now,"
replied Peter, "and I've been most thinking my head off trying to