Grandfather Frog was feeling good-natured, "why is it that Flitter
the Bat flies only at night?"

Grandfather Frog climbed out on his big green lily-pad and made
himself comfortable. Peter sat still and tried not to show how
impatient he felt. Grandfather Frog took his time. It tickled him to
see how hard impatient Peter was trying to be patient, and his big,
goggly eyes twinkled.

"Chug-a-rum!" said he at last, with a suddenness that made Peter jump.
"That's very good, Peter, very good indeed! Now I'll tell you the
story."

Of course he meant that Peter's effort to keep still was very good,
but Peter didn't know this, and he couldn't imagine what Grandfather
Frog meant. However, what he cared most about was the story, so he
settled himself to listen, his long ears standing straight up, and his
eyes stretched wide open as he watched Grandfather Frog. The latter
cleared his throat two or three times, each time as if he intended to
begin right then. It was one of Grandfather Frog's little jokes. He
did it just to tease Peter. At last he really did begin, and the very
first thing he did was to ask Peter a question.

"What is the reason that you stay in the dear Old Briar-patch when
Reddy Fox is around?"

"So that he won't catch me, of course," replied Peter.

"Very good," said Grandfather Frog. "Now, why do you go over to the
sweet-clover patch every day?"