"With gossip and gabble is built neither house nor stable," said the
pig, "let us know what you can do."

"I can pluck moss and stuff it into the seams between the planks, and
the house will be tight and warm."

Yes, they would give him leave, for, above all things, piggy wished to
be warm and comfortable.

So, when they had gone a bit farther--the goose had hard work to walk so
fast--they met a hare, who came frisking out of the wood.

"Good-day, good sirs," she said, "how far are you trotting to-day?"

"Good-day, good-day," said the sheep, "we're going to the wood to build
us a house and set up for ourselves, for, you know, try all the world
around, there's nothing like home."

"As for that," said the hare, "I have a house in every bush, but yet, I
have often said in winter, 'If I only live till summer I'll build me a
house,' and so I have half a mind to go with you and build one, after
all."

"Yes," said the pig, "if we ever get into trouble we might use you to
scare away the dogs, for I don't fancy you could help us in
house-building."

"Don't make fun of me. I have teeth to gnaw pegs and paws to drive them
into the wall, so I can very well set up to be carpenter," said the