But Brownie was not at all frightened. He was merely careful. Knowing
what a loud noise the falling tree would make, and that it might lead
a man (or some other enemy) to come prowling around, to see what had
happened, Brownie used to stay hidden until he felt quite sure that no
one was going to trouble him.

You can understand that waiting, as he did, was no easy matter when
you stop to remember that one of Brownie's reasons for cutting down a
tree was that he wanted to eat the tender bark to be found in the
tree-top. It was exactly like knowing your dinner was on the table,
all ready for you, and having to hide in some dark corner for half an
hour, before going into the dining-room. You know how hungry you would
get, if you had to do that.

Well, Brownie Beaver used to get just as hungry as any little boy or
girl. How he did tear at the bark, when he finally began to eat! And
how full he stuffed his mouth! And how he did enjoy his meal! But
everybody will admit that he had a right to enjoy his dinner, for he
certainly worked hard enough to get it.




III

STICKS AND MUD


Like the dam that held back the water to form the pond where Brownie
Beaver lived, Brownie's house was made of sticks and mud. He cut the