Alexander."

When they heard that, Fatty Coon and Billy Woodchuck and Frisky Squirrel
looked foolish. People thought Mr. Crow was a wise old gentleman. And
when he said a thing was so, that usually settled it.

"Here he comes again!" Mr. Crow said.

They all looked around. And sure enough! there was Sandy Chipmunk,
hurrying along the top of the wall, to get more nuts to store away for
the winter.

"Wait a moment!" Mr. Crow called to him. "I want to tell you something."

Sandy Chipmunk came to a halt and sat up on top of a stone, with his tail
curled over his back.

"Talk fast, please!" he said. "I'm in a great hurry. Winter will be here
before you know it. And I want to store away a great many nuts before
somebody else gathers them all."

"I won't keep you long," Mr. Crow told him. "It's about your name--"

"I've no time to stop to explain," Sandy Chipmunk interrupted. "As I
said, I'm very busy to-day." And he started to scamper along the wall
again.

Once more Mr. Crow stopped him.

"You don't understand," he said. "I don't want to _ask_ you anything. I