plumy tail.

"'That's right, Mr. Skunk! That's right!' said Mr. Rabbit, starting
along briskly, just as if he was going to hurry right home and begin
work that very instant.

"But half an hour later, when Mr. Skunk happened to pass the home of
Mr. Chipmunk, there sat Mr. Rabbit with his arms folded, watching Mr.
Chipmunk hurrying about as only Mr. Chipmunk can.

"Finally Mr. Rabbit had made the round of all his friends and
neighbors, and he once more reached his tumble-down house. 'Oh, dear,'
sighed Mr. Rabbit, as he looked at the tangle of brambles which almost
hid the little old house, 'I never, never can clear away all this! It
will be a lot easier to work when all my friends are here to help,'
So he sighed once more and folded his arms, instead of beginning work
as he should have done. And then, because the sun was bright and warm,
and he was very, very comfortable, old Mr. Rabbit began to nod, and
presently he was fast asleep.

"Now Old Mother Nature likes to take people by surprise, and it
happened that she chose this very day to make her promised visit. She
was greatly pleased with all she saw as she went along, until she came
to the home of Mr. Rabbit.

"'Mercy me!' exclaimed Old Mother Nature, throwing up her hands as she
saw the tumble-down house almost hidden by the brambles and weeds.
'Can it be possible that any one really lives here?'

Then, peering through the tangle of brambles, she spied old Mr.