"
"How thoughtful you are," said little Mrs. Peter with a little sigh of
happiness.
Of course, every one who could walk, creep, or fly headed for the Old
Briar-patch the next day at shadow-time, for almost every one knows and
loves Peter Rabbit, and of course every one was very anxious to meet
Mrs. Peter. From the Smiling Pool came Billy Mink, Little Joe Otter,
Jerry Muskrat, Spotty the Turtle, and old Grandfather Frog. From the
Green Forest came Bobby Coon, Unc' Billy Possum and Mrs. Possum, Prickly
Porky the Porcupine, Whitefoot the Woodmouse, Happy Jack the Gray
Squirrel, Chatterer the Red Squirrel, Blacky the Crow, Sammy Jay, Ol'
Mistah Buzzard, Mistah Mockingbird, and Sticky-toes the Treetoad. From
the Green Meadows came Danny Meadow Mouse, Old Mr. Toad, Digger the
Badger, Jimmy Skunk, and Striped Chipmunk, who lives near the old stone-
wall between the edge of the Green Meadows and the Green Forest. Johnny
and Polly Chuck came down from the Old Orchard and Drummer the
Woodpecker came from the same place.
Of course Old Man Coyote paid his respects, and when he came everybody
but Prickly Porky and Digger the Badger and Jimmy Skunk made way for him
with great respect. Granny and Reddy Fox and Hooty the Owl didn't call,
but they sat where they could look on and make fun. You see, Peter had
fooled all three so many times that they felt none too friendly.
Very proud looked Peter as he stood under a bramble-bush with Mrs. Peter
by his side and introduced her to his many friends, and very sweet and
modest and retiring looked little Mrs.
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