That was probably the longest day in Brownie Beaver's life. At least,
it seemed so to him. Whenever he saw a bird soaring above the tree-tops
he couldn't help hoping it was Mr. Crow. And whenever he heard a
_caw_--_caw_ far off in the distance Brownie Beaver dropped whatever
he happened to be doing, expecting that Mr. Crow would flap into sight
at any moment.

Brownie had many disappointments. But Mr. Crow really came at last. He
lighted right on top of Brownie Beaver's house and called "Paper!"
down the chimney--just like that!

Brownie happened to be inside his house. And in a wonderfully short
time his head appeared above the water and he soon crawled up beside
Mr. Crow.

"Well, I _am_ glad to see you!" he told Mr. Crow.

"Peter Mink caught a monstrous eel in the duck pond on Monday," Mr.
Crow said. Being a newspaper, he thought he ought to say nothing
except what was news--not even "Good afternoon!"

"Mr. Rabbit, of Pine Ridge, with his wife and fourteen children, is
visiting his brother, Mr. Jeremiah Rabbit. Mrs. Jeremiah Rabbit says
she does not know when her husband's relations are going home," Mr.
Crow continued to relate in a singsong voice.

"Goodness gracious!" Brownie Beaver exclaimed.

"Fatty Coon--" Mr. Crow said--"Fatty Coon was confined to his house by