as if he were trying to see right inside that black head to find out
what was going on there.

"Now what has that black scamp got in his mind," thought Reddy. "He
never pays compliments unless he wants something in return. That old
black rascal has the smoothest tongue in the Green Forest. He hasn't
come 'way over here just to tell me that I have a handsome coat. He
wouldn't fly over a fence to tell anybody that unless it was for a
purpose."

Aloud he said, "Good morning, Blacky. I suppose I must admit I have a
fine coat. Perhaps I do look very fine, but if you could see under this
red coat of mine, you would find mighty little meat on my ribs. To be
quite honest, I am not feeling half as fine as I look. You lucky
fellows who can fly and don't have to think about distances may be able
to live well these days, but as for me, I've forgotten when last I had a
good meal."




CHAPTER XXVI

RED WITS AND BLACK WITS

This fact you'll find is always so:
He's quick of wit who fools a Crow.

_Bowser the Hound._