Then Mr. Mole pressed a little bell, and in came a mole with overalls
on and a little pickaxe. "Show my friend, Mr. Billy Bunny, through the
tunnel to the Moss Bank entrance."

"Thank you," said the little rabbit, and he hopped after the workman
mole until they came to an opening. And when the little rabbit got
outside once more he found himself on a mossy bank where blossomed a
lovely bed of violets.

So he picked a bouquet for himself and stuck it in his buttonhole, and
after that he hopped away singing a song. And if Robbie Redbreast
hadn't heard it I never would have been able to tell it to you. Wasn't
it lucky that the little robin sang it to me this morning while I was
still in bed? Because, if he hadn't, how would I have ever learned it?

Over the clover and over the grass
Hoppity, hop, I go;
Over the leaves from the autumn trees
And over the soft white snow,
With a whistle and song
I go hopping along,
I'm Billy Bunny, you know.




STORY XIV.

BILLY BUNNY AND THE WATER SNAKE.