English
Ihavemademanybooksaboutwell-behavedpeople.Now,forachange,Iamgoingtomakeastoryabouttwodisagreeablepeople,calledTommyBrockandMr.Tod.
NobodycouldcallMr.Tod“nice.”Therabbitscouldnotbearhim;theycouldsmellhimhalfamileoff.Hewasofawanderinghabitandhehadfoxywhiskers;theyneverknewwherehewouldbenext.
Onedayhewaslivinginastick-houseinthecoppice[grove],causingterrortothefamilyofoldMr.BenjaminBouncer.
Nextdayhemovedintoapollardwillownearthelake,frighteningthewildducksandthewaterrats.
InwinterandearlyspringhemightgenerallybefoundinanearthamongsttherocksatthetopofBullBanks,underOatmealCrag.
Hehadhalfadozenhouses,buthewasseldomathome.
ThehouseswerenotalwaysemptywhenMr.TodmovedOUT;becausesometimesTommyBrockmovedIN;(withoutaskingleave).
TommyBrockwasashortbristlyfatwaddlingpersonwithagrin;hegrinnedalloverhisface.Hewasnotniceinhishabits.
Heatewaspnestsandfrogsandworms;andhewaddledaboutbymoonlight,diggingthingsup.
Hisclotheswereverydirty;andashesleptinthedaytime,healwayswenttobedinhisboots.Andthebed,whichhewenttobedinwasgenerallyMr.Tod’s.
NowTommyBrockdidoccasionallyeatrabbitpie;butitwasonlyverylittleyoungonesoccasionally,whenotherfoodwasreallyscarce.
HewasfriendlywitholdMr.Bouncer;theyagreedindislikingthewickedottersandMr.Tod;theyoftentalkedoverthatpainfulsubject.
OldMr.Bouncerwasstrickeninyears.Hesatinthespringsunshineoutsidetheburrow,inamuffler;smokingapipeofrabbittobacco.
HelivedwithhissonBenjaminBunnyandhisdaughter-in-lawFlopsy,whohadayoungfamily.OldMr.Bouncerwasinchargeofthefamilythatafternoon,becauseBenjaminandFlopsyhadgoneout.
Thelittlerabbitbabieswerejustoldenoughtoopentheirblueeyesandkick.
Theylayinafluffybedofrabbitwoolandhay,inashallowburrow,separatefromthemainrabbithole.
Totellthetruth—oldMr.Bouncerhadforgottenthem.
Hesatinthesun,andconversedcordiallywithTommyBrock,whowaspassingthroughthewoodwithasackandalittlespudwhichheusedfordigging,andsomemoletraps.
Hecomplainedbitterlyaboutthescarcityofpheasants’eggs,andaccusedMr.Todofpoachingthem.
Andtheottershadclearedoffallthefrogswhilehewasasleepinwinter—“Ihavenothadagoodsquaremealforafort-night,Iamlivingonpig-nuts.
Ishallhavetoturnvegetarianandeatmyowntail!”saidTommyBrock.
Itwasnotmuchofajoke,butittickledoldMr.Bouncer;becauseTommyBrockwassofatandstumpyandgrinning.
SooldMr.Bouncerlaughed;andpressedTommyBrocktocomeinside,totasteasliceofseedcakeand“aglassofmydaughterFlopsy’scowslipwine.”
TommyBrocksqueezedhimselfintotherabbitholewithalacrity.
ThenoldMr.Bouncersmokedanotherpipe,andgaveTommyBrockacabbageleafcigarwhichwassoverystrongthatitmadeTommyBrockgrinmorethanever;andthesmokefilledtheburrow.
OldMr.Bouncercoughedandlaughed;andTommyBrockpuffedandgrinned.
AndMr.Bouncerlaughedandcoughed,andshuthiseyesbecauseofthecabbagesmoke.
WhenFlopsyandBenjamincamebackoldMr.Bouncerwokeup.TommyBrockandalltheyoungrabbitbabieshaddisappeared!
Mr.Bouncerwouldnotconfessthathehadadmittedanybodyintotherabbithole.
Butthesmellofbadgerwasundeniable;andtherewereroundheavyfootmarksinthesand.
Hewasindisgrace;Flopsywrungherears,andslappedhim.
BenjaminBunnysetoffatonceafterTommyBrock.
Therewasnotmuchdifficultyintrackinghim;hehadlefthisfoot-markandgoneslowlyupthewindingfootpaththroughthewood.
Herehehadrootedupthemossandwoodsorrel.
Therehehaddugquiteadeepholefordogdarnel;andhadsetamoletrap.Alittlestreamcrossedtheway.
Benjaminskippedlightlyoverdry-foot;thebadger’sheavystepsshowedplainlyinthemud.
Thepathledtoapartofthethicketwherethetreeshadbeencleared;therewereleafyoakstumps,andaseaofbluehyacinths—butthesmellthatmadeBenjaminstopwasNOTthesmellofflowers!
Mr.Tod’sstickhousewasbeforehim;and,foronce,Mr.Todwasathome.Therewasnotonlyafoxyflavorinproofofit—therewassmokecomingoutofthebrokenpailthatservedasachimney.
BenjaminBunnysatup,staring,hiswhiskerstwitched.Insidethestickhousesomebodydroppedaplate,andsaidsomething.Benjaminstampedhisfoot,andbolted.
Heneverstoppedtillhecametotheothersideofthewood.ApparentlyTommyBrockhadturnedthesameway.Uponthetopofthewalltherewereagainthemarksof
badger;andsomeravellingsofasackhadcaughtonabriar.
Benjaminclimbedoverthewall,intoameadow.
Hefoundanothermoletrapnewlyset;hewasstilluponthetrackofTommyBrock.Itwasgettinglateintheafternoon.
Otherrabbitswerecomingouttoenjoytheeveningair.
Oneoftheminabluecoat,byhimself,wasbusilyhuntingfordandelions.—“CousinPeter!PeterRabbit,PeterRabbit!”shoutedBenjaminBunny.
Theblue-coatedrabbitsatupwithprickedears—“Whateveristhematter,CousinBenjamin?Isitacat?OrJohnStoatFerret?”
“No,no,no!He’sbaggedmyfamily—TommyBrock—inasack—haveyouseenhim?”
“TommyBrock?howmany,CousinBenjamin?”
“Seven,CousinPeter,andallofthemtwins!Didhecomethisway?Pleasetellmequick!”
“Yes,yes;nottenminutessince...hesaidtheywereCATERPILLARS;Ididthinktheywerekickingratherhard,forcaterpillars.”
“Whichway?whichwayhashegone,CousinPeter?”
“Hehadasackwithsomethingliveinit;Iwatchedhimsetamoletrap.Letmeusemymind,CousinBenjamin;tellmefromthebeginning,”Benjamindidso.
“MyUncleBouncerhasdisplayedalamentablewantofdiscretionforhisyears;”saidPeterreflectively,“buttherearetwohopefulcircumstances.
Yourfamilyisaliveandkicking;andTommyBrockhashadrefreshments.
Hewillprobablygotosleep,andkeepthemforbreakfast.”
“Whichway?”
“CousinBenjamin,composeyourself.Iknowverywellwhichway.
BecauseMr.TodwasathomeinthestickhousehehasgonetoMr.Tod’sotherhouse,atthetopofBullBanks.
Ipartlyknow,becauseheofferedtoleaveanymessageatSisterCottontail’s;hesaidhewouldbepassing.”
(Cottontailhadmarriedablackrabbit,andgonetoliveonthehill.)
Peterhidhisdandelions,andaccompaniedtheafflictedparent,whowasallofatwitter.
Theycrossedseveralfieldsandbegantoclimbthehill;thetracksofTommyBrockwereplainlytobeseen.
Heseemedtohaveputdownthesackeverydozenyards,torest.
“Hemustbeverypuffed;weareclosebehindhim,bythescent.Whatanastyperson!”saidPeter.
Thesunshinewasstillwarmandslantingonthehillpastures.
Halfwayup,Cottontailwassittinginherdoorway,withfourorfivehalf-grownlittlerabbitsplayingabouther;oneblackandtheothersbrown.
CottontailhadseenTommyBrockpassinginthedistance.AskedwhetherherhusbandwasathomesherepliedthatTommyBrockhadrestedtwicewhileshewatchedhim.
Hehadnodded,andpointedtothesack,andseemeddoubledupwithlaughing.—“Comeaway,Peter;hewillbecookingthem;comequicker!”saidBenjaminBunny.
Theyclimbedupandup;—“Hewasathome;Isawhisblackearspeepingoutofthehole.”
“Theylivetooneartherockstoquarrelwiththeirneighbors.Comeon,CousinBenjamin!”
WhentheycamenearthewoodatthetopofBullBanks,theywentcautiously.
Thetreesgrewamongstheapeduprocks;andthere,beneathacrag,Mr.Todhadmadeoneofhishomes.
Itwasatthetopofasteepbank;therocksandbushesoverhungit.
Therabbitscreptupcarefully,listeningandpeeping.
Thishousewassomethingbetweenacave,aprison,andatumbledownpigsty.Therewasastrongdoor,whichwasshutandlocked.
Thesettingsunmadethewindowpanesglowlikeredflame;butthekitchenfirewasnotalight.Itwasneatlylaidwithdrysticks,astherabbitscouldsee,whentheypeepedthroughthewindow.
Benjaminsighedwithrelief.
Buttherewerepreparationsuponthekitchentablewhichmadehimshudder.Therewasanimmenseemptypiedishofbluewillowpattern,andalargecarvingknifeandfork,andachopper.
Attheotherendofthetablewasapartlyunfoldedtablecloth,aplate,atumbler,aknifeandfork,saltcellar,mustardandachair—inshort,preparationsforoneperson’ssupper.
Nopersonwastobeseen,andnoyoungrabbits.Thekitchenwasemptyandsilent;theclockhadrundown.PeterandBenjaminflattenedtheirnosesagainstthewindow,andstaredintothedusk.
Thentheyscrambledroundtherockstotheothersideofthehouse.Itwasdampandsmelly,andover-grownwiththornsandbriars.
Therabbitsshiveredintheirshoes.
“Ohmypoorrabbitbabies!Whatadreadfulplace;Ishallneverseethemagain!”sighedBenjamin.
Theycreptuptothebedroomwindow.Itwasclosedandboltedlikethekitchen.
Butthereweresignsthatthiswindowhadbeenrecentlyopen;thecobwebsweredisturbed,andtherewerefreshdirtyfootmarksuponthewindowsill.
Theroominsidewassodarkthatatfirsttheycouldmakeoutnothing;buttheycouldhearanoise—aslowdeepregularsnoringgrunt.
Andastheireyesbecameaccustomedtothedarkness,theyperceivedthatsomebodywasasleeponMr.Tod’sbed,curledupundertheblanket.
—“Hehasgonetobedinhisboots,”whisperedPeter.
Benjamin,whowasallofatwitter,pulledPeteroffthewindowsill.
TommyBrock’ssnorescontinued,gruntyandregularfromMr.Tod’sbed.Nothingcouldbeseenoftheyoungfamily.
Thesunhadset;anowlbegantohootinthewood.
Thereweremanyunpleasantthingslyingaboutthathadmuchbetterhavebeenburied;rabbitbonesandskulls,andchickens’legsandotherhorrors.Itwasashockingplace,andverydark.
Theywentbacktothefrontofthehouse,andtriedineverywaytomovetheboltofthekitchenwindow.
Theytriedtopushuparustynailbetweenthewindowsashes;butitwasofnouse,especiallywithoutalight.
Theysatsidebysideoutsidethewindow,whisperingandlistening.
Inhalfanhourthemoonroseoverthewood.
Itshonefullandclearandcold,uponthehouse,amongsttherocks,andinatthekitchenwindow.
Butalas,nolittlerabbitbabiesweretobeseen!
Themoonbeamstwinkledonthecarvingknifeandthepiedish,andmadeapathofbrightnessacrossthedirtyfloor.
Thelightshowedalittledoorinawallbesidethekitchenfireplace—alittleirondoorbelongingtoabrickovenofthatold-fashionedsortthatusedtobeheatedwithfaggotsofwood.
AndpresentlyatthesamemomentPeterandBenjaminnoticedthatwhenevertheyshookthewindowthelittledooroppositeshookinanswer.Theyoungfamilywerealive;shutupintheoven!
BenjaminwassoexcitedthatitwasamercyhedidnotawakeTommyBrock,whosesnorescontinuedsolemnlyinMr.Tod’sbed.
Buttherereallywasnotverymuchcomfortinthediscovery.
Theycouldnotopenthewindow;andalthoughtheyoungfamilywasalivethelittlerabbitswerequiteincapableoflettingthemselvesout;theywerenotoldenoughtocrawl.
Aftermuchwhispering,PeterandBenjamindecidedtodigatunnel.
Theybegantoburrowayardortwolowerdownthebank.
Theyhopedthattheymightbeabletoworkbetweenthelargestonesunderthehouse;thekitchenfloorwassodirtythatitwasimpossibletosaywhetheritwasmadeofearthorflags.
Theyduganddugforhours.Theycouldnottunnelstraightonaccountofstones;butbytheendofthenighttheywereunderthekitchenfloor.
Benjaminwasonhisbackscratchingupwards.
Peter’sclawswereworndown;hewasoutsidethetunnel,shufflingsandaway.
Hecalledoutthatitwasmorning—sunrise;andthatthejaysweremakinganoisedownbelowinthewoods.
BenjaminBunnycameoutofthedarktunnelshakingthesandfromhisears;hecleanedhisfacewithhispaws.
Everyminutethesunshonewarmeronthetopofthehill.
Inthevalleytherewasaseaofwhitemist,withgoldentopsoftreesshowingthrough.
Againfromthefieldsdownbelowinthemisttherecametheangrycryofajay,followedbythesharpyelpingbarkofafox!
Thenthosetworabbitslosttheirheadscompletely.
Theydidthemostfoolishthingthattheycouldhavedone.
Theyrushedintotheirshortnewtunnel,andhidthemselvesatthetopendofit,underMr.Tod’skitchenfloor.
Mr.TodwascomingupBullBanks,andhewasintheveryworstoftempers.
Firsthehadbeenupsetbybreakingtheplate.
Itwashisownfault;butitwasachinaplate,thelastofthedinnerservicethathadbelongedtohisgrandmother,oldVixenTod.Thenthemidgeshadbeenverybad.
Andhehadfailedtocatchahenpheasantonhernest;andithadcontainedonlyfiveeggs,twoofthemaddled.
Mr.Todhadhadanunsatisfactorynight.
Asusual,whenoutofhumor,hedeterminedtomovehouse.Firsthetriedthepollardwillow,butitwasdamp;andtheottershadleftadeadfishnearit.Mr.Todlikesnobody’sleavingsbuthisown.
Hemadehiswayupthehill;histemperwasnotimprovedbynoticingunmistakablemarksofbadger.NooneelsegrubsupthemosssowantonlyasTommyBrock.
Mr.Todslappedhisstickupontheearthandfumed;heguessedwhereTommyBrockhadgoneto.
Hewasfurtherannoyedbythejaybird,whichfollowedhimpersistently.
Itflewfromtreetotreeandscolded,warningeveryrabbitwithinhearingthateitheracatorafoxwascominguptheplantation.
OncewhenitflewscreamingoverhisheadMr.Todsnappedatit,andbarked.
Heapproachedhishouseverycarefully,withalargerustykey.Hesniffedandhiswhiskersbristled.
Thehousewaslockedup,butMr.Todhadhisdoubtswhetheritwasempty.Heturnedtherustykeyinthelock;therabbitsbelowcouldhearit.Mr.Todopenedthedoorcautiouslyandwentin.
ThesightthatmetMr.Tod’seyesinMr.Tod’skitchenmadeMr.Todfurious.
TherewasMr.Tod’schair,andMr.Tod’spiedish,andhisknifeandforkandmustardandsaltcellar,andhistablecloth,thathehadleftfoldedupinthedresser—allsetoutforsupper(orbreakfast)—withoutdoubtforthatodiousTommyBrock.
Therewasasmelloffreshearthanddirtybadger,whichfortunatelyoverpoweredallsmellofrabbit.
ButwhatabsorbedMr.Tod’sattentionwasanoise,adeepslowregularsnoringgruntingnoise,comingfromhisownbed.
Hepeepedthroughthehingesofthehalf-openbedroomdoor.Thenheturnedandcameoutofthehouseinahurry.Hiswhiskersbristledandhiscoatcollarstoodonendwithrage.
ForthenexttwentyminutesMr.Todkeptcreepingcautiouslyintothehouse,andretreatinghurriedlyoutagain.
Bydegreesheventuredfurtherin—rightintothebed-room.
Whenhewasoutsidethehouse,hescratcheduptheearthwithfury.
Butwhenhewasinside—hedidnotlikethelookofTommyBrock’steeth.
Hewaslyingonhisbackwithhismouthopen,grinningfromeartoear.Hesnoredpeacefullyandregularly;butoneeyewasnotperfectlyshut.
Mr.Todcameinandoutofthebedroom.Twicehebroughtinhiswalkingstick,andoncehebroughtinthecoalscuttle.Buthethoughtbetterofit,andtookthemaway.
Whenhecamebackafterremovingthecoalscuttle,TommyBrockwaslyingalittlemoresideways;butheseemedevensounderasleep.
Hewasanincurablyindolentperson;hewasnotintheleastafraidofMr.Tod;hewassimplytoolazyandcomfortabletomove.
Mr.Todcamebackyetagainintothebedroomwithaclothesline.HestoodaminutewatchingTommyBrockandlisteningattentivelytothesnores.Theywereveryloudindeed,butseemedquitenatural.
Mr.Todturnedhisbacktowardsthebed,andundidthewindow.Itcreaked;heturnedroundwithajump.TommyBrock,whohadopenedoneeye—shutithastily.Thesnorescontinued.
Mr.Tod’sproceedingswerepeculiar,andratherdifficult(becausethebedwasbetweenthewindowandthedoorofthebedroom).
Heopenedthewindowalittleway,andpushedoutthegreaterpartoftheclotheslineontothewindow-sill.
Therestoftheline,withahookattheend,remainedinhishand.
TommyBrocksnoredconscientiously.Mr.Todstoodandlookedathimforaminute;thenhelefttheroomagain.
TommyBrockopenedbotheyes,andlookedattheropeandgrinned.Therewasanoiseoutsidethewindow.TommyBrockshuthiseyesinahurry.
Mr.Todhadgoneoutatthefrontdoor,androundtothebackofthehouse.
Ontheway,hestumbledovertherabbitburrow.
Ifhehadhadanyideawhowasinsideithewouldhavepulledthemoutquickly.
HisfootwentthroughthetunnelnearlyuponthetopofPeterRabbitandBenjamin;but,fortunately,hethoughtthatitwassomemoreofTommyBrock’swork.
Hetookupthecoiloflinefromthesill,listenedforamoment,andthentiedtheropetoatree.
TommyBrockwatchedhimwithoneeye,throughthewindow.Hewaspuzzled.
Mr.Todfetchedalargeheavypailfulofwaterfromthespring,andstaggeredwithitthroughthekitchenintohisbedroom.
TommyBrocksnoredindustriously,withratherasnort.
Mr.Todputdownthepailbesidethebed,tookuptheendofropewiththehook—hesitated,andlookedatTommyBrock.Thesnoreswerealmostapoplectic;butthegrinwasnotquitesobig.
Mr.Todgingerlymountedachairbytheheadofthebedstead.HislegsweredangerouslyneartoTommyBrock’steeth.
Hereachedupandputtheendofrope,withthehook,overtheheadofthetesterbed,wherethecurtainsoughttohang.
(Mr.Tod’scurtainswerefoldedup,andputaway,owingtothehousebeingunoccupied.Sowasthecounterpane.
TommyBrockwascoveredwithablanketonly.)
Mr.Todstandingontheunsteadychairlookeddownuponhimattentively;hereallywasafirstprizesoundsleeper!
Itseemedasthoughnothingwouldwakenhim—noteventheflappingropeacrossthebed.
Mr.Toddescendedsafelyfromthechair,andendeavoredtogetupagainwiththepailofwater.
Heintendedtohangitfromthehook,danglingovertheheadofTommyBrock,inordertomakeasortofshower-bath,workedbyastring,throughthewindow.
But,naturally,beingathin-leggedperson(thoughvindictiveandsandywhiskered)—hewasquiteunabletolifttheheavyweighttothelevelofthehookandrope.Heverynearlyoverbalancedhimself.
Thesnoresbecamemoreandmoreapoplectic.OneofTommyBrock’shindlegstwitchedundertheblanket,butstillhesleptonpeacefully.
Mr.Todandthepaildescendedfromthechairwithoutaccident.
Afterconsiderablethought,heemptiedthewaterintoawashbasinandjug.
Theemptypailwasnottooheavyforhim;heslungitupwobblingovertheheadofTommyBrock.
Surelythereneverwassuchasleeper!Mr.Todgotupanddown,downanduponthechair.
Ashecouldnotliftthewholepailfulofwateratoncehefetchedamilkjugandladledquartsofwaterintothepailbydegrees.
Thepailgotfullerandfuller,andswunglikeapendulum.
Occasionallyadropsplashedover;butstillTommyBrocksnoredregularlyandnevermoved,—exceptinoneeye.
AtlastMr.Tod’spreparationswerecomplete.Thepailwasfullofwater;theropewastightlystrainedoverthetopofthebed,andacrossthewindowsilltothetreeoutside.
“Itwillmakeagreatmessinmybedroom;butIcouldneversleepinthatbedagainwithoutaspringcleaningofsomesort,”saidMr.Tod.
Mr.Todtookalastlookatthebadgerandsoftlylefttheroom.Hewentoutofthehouse,shuttingthefrontdoor.Therabbitsheardhisfootstepsoverthetunnel.
Heranroundbehindthehouse,intendingtoundotheropeinordertoletfallthepailfulofwateruponTommyBrock—
“Iwillwakehimupwithanunpleasantsurprise,”saidMr.Tod.
Themomenthehadgone,TommyBrockgotupinahurry;herolledMr.Tod’sdressing-gownintoabundle,putitintothebedbeneaththepailofwaterinsteadofhimself,andlefttheroomalso—grinningimmensely.
Hewentintothekitchen,lightedthefireandboiledthekettle;forthemomenthedidnottroublehimselftocookthebabyrabbits.
WhenMr.Todgottothetree,hefoundthattheweightandstrainhaddraggedtheknotsotightthatitwaspastuntying.
Hewasobligedtognawitwithhisteeth.
Hechewedandgnawedformorethantwentyminutes.
Atlasttheropegavewaywithsuchasuddenjerkthatitnearlypulledhisteethout,andquiteknockedhimoverbackwards.
Insidethehousetherewasagreatcrashandsplash,andthenoiseofapailrollingoverandover.
Butnoscreams.Mr.Todwasmystified;hesatquitestill,andlistenedattentively.Thenhepeepedinatthewindow.Thewaterwasdrippingfromthebed,thepailhadrolledintoacorner.
Inthemiddleofthebed,undertheblanket,wasawetSOMETHING—muchflattenedinthemiddle,wherethepailhadcaughtit(asitwereacrossthetummy).
Itsheadwascoveredbythewetblanket,anditwasNOTSNORINGANYLONGER.
Therewasnothingstirring,andnosoundexceptthedrip,drop,drop,drip,ofwatertricklingfromthemattress.
Mr.Todwatcheditforhalfanhour;hiseyesglistened.
Thenhecutacaper,andbecamesoboldthatheeventappedatthewindow;butthebundlenevermoved.
Yes—therewasnodoubtaboutit—ithadturnedoutevenbetterthanhehadplanned;thepailhadhitpooroldTommyBrock,andkilledhimdead!
“Iwillburythatnastypersoninthehole,whichhehasdug.Iwillbringmybeddingout,anddryitinthesun,”saidMr.Tod.
“Iwillwashthetableclothandspreaditonthegrassinthesuntobleach.
Andtheblanketmustbehungupinthewind;andthebedmustbethoroughlydisinfected,andairedwithawarming-pan;andwarmedwithahotwaterbottle.”
“Iwillgetsoftsoap,andmonkeysoap,andallsortsofsoap;andsodaandscrubbingbrushes;andPersianpowder;andcarbolictoremovethesmell.Imusthaveadisinfecting.PerhapsImayhavetoburnsulphur.”
Hehurriedroundthehousetogetashovelfromthekitchen—“FirstIwillarrangethehole—thenIwilldragoutthatpersonintheblanket....”
Heopenedthedoor....
TommyBrockwassittingatMr.Tod’skitchentable,pouringoutteafromMr.Tod’steapotintoMr.Tod’steacup.
Hewasquitedryhimselfandgrinning;andhethrewthecupofscaldingteaalloverMr.Tod.
ThenMr.TodrusheduponTommyBrock,andTommyBrockgrappledwithMr.Todamongstthebrokencrockery,andtherewasaterrificbattlealloverthekitchen.
Totherabbitsunderneathitsoundedasifthefloorwouldgivewayateachcrashoffallingfurniture.
Theycreptoutoftheirtunnel,andhungaboutamongsttherocksandbushes,listeninganxiously.
Insidethehousetheracketwasfearful.Therabbitbabiesintheovenwokeuptrembling;perhapsitwasfortunatetheywereshutupinside.
Everythingwasupsetexceptthekitchentable.
Andeverythingwasbroken,exceptthemantelpieceandthekitchenfender.Thecrockerywassmashedtoatoms.
Thechairswerebroken,andthewindow,andtheclockfellwithacrash,andtherewerehandfulsofMr.Tod’ssandywhiskers.
Thevasesfelloffthemantelpiece,thecanistersfellofftheshelf;thekettlefelloffthehob.TommyBrockputhisfootinajarofraspberryjam.
AndtheboilingwateroutofthekettlefelluponthetailofMr.Tod.
Whenthekettlefell,TommyBrock,whowasstillgrinning,happenedtobeuppermost;andherolledMr.Todoverandoverlikealog,outatthedoor.
Thenthesnarlingandworryingwentonoutside;andtheyrolledoverthebank,anddownhill,bumpingovertherocks.TherewillneverbeanylovelostbetweenTommyBrockandMr.Tod.
Assoonasthecoastwasclear,PeterRabbitandBenjaminBunnycameoutofthebushes.
“Nowforit!Runin,CousinBenjamin!Runinandgetthem!whileIwatchthedoor.”
ButBenjaminwasfrightened—
“Oh;oh!Theyarecomingback!”
“Notheyarenot.”
“Yestheyare!”
“Whatdreadfulbadlanguage!Ithinktheyhavefallendownthestonequarry.”
StillBenjaminhesitated,andPeterkeptpushinghim—
“Bequick,it’sallright.Shuttheovendoor,CousinBenjamin,sothathewon’tmissthem.”
DecidedlytherewerelivelydoingsinMr.Tod’skitchen!
Athomeintherabbithole,thingshadnotbeenquitecomfortable.
Afterquarrelingatsupper,FlopsyandoldMr.Bouncerhadpassedasleeplessnight,andquarreledagainatbreakfast.
OldMr.Bouncercouldnolongerdenythathehadinvitedcompanyintotherabbithole;butherefusedtoreplytothequestionsandreproachesofFlopsy.Thedaypassedheavily.
OldMr.Bouncer,verysulky,washuddledupinacorner,barricadedwithachair.
Flopsyhadtakenawayhispipeandhiddenthetobacco.
Shehadbeenhavingacompleteturnoutandspringcleaning,torelieveherfeelings.Shehadjustfinished.
OldMr.Bouncer,behindhischair,waswonderinganxiouslywhatshewoulddonext.
InMr.Tod’skitchen,amidstthewreckage,BenjaminBunnypickedhiswaytotheovennervously,throughathickcloudofdust.
Heopenedtheovendoor,feltinside,andfoundsomethingwarmandwriggling.
Helifteditoutcarefully,andrejoinedPeterRabbit.
“I’vegotthem!Canwegetaway?Shallwehide,CousinPeter?”
Peterprickedhisears;distantsoundsoffightingstillechoedinthewood.
FiveminutesafterwardstwobreathlessrabbitscamescutteringawaydownBullBanks,halfcarrying,halfdraggingasackbetweenthem,bumpettybumpoverthegrass.
Theyreachedhomesafely,andburstintotherabbithole.
GreatwasoldMr.Bouncer’sreliefandFlopsy’sjoywhenPeterandBenjaminarrivedintriumphwiththeyoungfamily.
Therabbitbabieswererathertumbledandveryhungry;theywerefedandputtobed.Theysoonrecovered.
AnewlongpipeandafreshsupplyofrabbittobaccowaspresentedtoMr.Bouncer.Hewasratheruponhisdignity;butheaccepted.
OldMr.Bouncerwasforgiven,andtheyallhaddinner.
ThenPeterandBenjamintoldtheirstory—buttheyhadnotwaitedlongenoughtobeabletotelltheendofthebattlebetweenTommyBrockandMr.Tod.
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