"We'll hurry over and tell Old Dame Nature," cried the Merry
Little Breezes, "and ask her what to do."

So away flew the Merry Little Breezes to Old Dame Nature and told
her all the dreadful story. Old Dame Nature listened very
attentively. Then she sent the Merry Little Breezes to all the
little meadow folks to tell every one to be at the Great Pine
that afternoon. Now whatever Old Dame Nature commanded all the
meadow folks were obliged to do. They did not dare to disobey
her. Promptly at four o'clock that afternoon all the meadow folks
were gathered around the foot of the Great Pine. Broken-hearted
little Mrs. Ruffed Grouse sat beside her empty nest, with all the
broken shells about her.

Reddy Fox, Peter Rabbit, Johnny Chuck, Billy Mink, Little Joe
Otter, Jerry Muskrat, Hooty the Owl, Bobby Coon, Sammy Jay,
Blacky the Crow, Grandfather Frog, Mr. Toad, Spotty the Turtle,
the Merry Little Breezes, all were there. Last of all came Jimmy
Skunk. Very handsome he looked in his shining black coat and very
sorry he appeared that such a dreadful thing should have
happened. He told Mrs. Grouse how badly he felt, and he loudly
demanded that the culprit should be found out and severely
punished.

Old Dame Nature has the most smiling face in the world, but this
time it was very, very grave indeed. First she asked little Mrs.
Grouse to tell her story all over again that all might hear.
Then each in turn was asked to tell where he had been the night
before. Johnny Chuck, Happy Jack Squirrel, Striped Chipmunk,