Mrs. Rabbit’s Dining.
Mrs. Rabbit’s home was a delight to see when the guests arrived. Mrs. Rabbit was a trifle tired and apprehensive. It was her first formal function and she did not know how many “regrets” were in store for her. (Some she knew would come, but others whom she desired to lionize gave her concern. Their absence would mean disappointment and humiliation. If some benign power would remove all the empty chairs from around the table of a hostess who has made elaborate preparations for the entertainment of guests who do not come, and who is not wholly certain of her approaches, some of the bitterest sorrows would be removed from earth and many a heart-break would be escaped. Such a spectacle, presented to a hostess, not only stuns and stings, but corrodes.)
Mrs. Rabbit was not long in suspense. Her guests came, every one of them, came in a crowd, and each one had something to tell about the escape from Everybody who is Nobody at the entrance to the briar patch, all of which pleased Mrs. Rabbit greatly.
Mr. Toad and Mrs. Toad were not expected. Mr. Beaver and Mrs. Beaver were not missed. They were working people, and working people are seldom much sought after until they cease working and become representatives of working people.
Mr. Peckerwood was seen coming from far away across the lake. He would soar high up in the air, remain poised an instant, and then plunge headlong downward until near the earth, when he would gracefully glide upward again. He moved as a light vessel moves across high billows between which there are great troughs or valleys, now on the crest of the wave, now in the deep chasm. He came on with a freedom and a swing, describing a series of parabolas that were beautiful to behold.
On arriving he informed the party that an important engagement, he was sorry to say, prevented him from remaining; but he would beat the drum on a hollow tree from time to time to let them know where he was in the forest.
Every one was sorry, and Mr. Otter remarked that he always noticed that those who take the most active part in movements for good, and who do most to bring these movements to a splendid result, seldom enjoy the benefits and pleasures of their efforts. They sow and others garner. They build and others occupy. They provide and others enjoy.
After a short silence Mr. Mink said that he had observed the same thing, and, according to his way of thinking, it is small compensation to see that those who take the most active part in movements for evil, and who do the most to bring these movements to a climax, always escape before the explosion comes and leave their followers and dupes to suffer the penalties.
This is all that Mr. Mink and Mr. Otter said until time to bid their hosts good-bye, and it is a great deal for either Mr. Mink or Mr. Otter to say at any time, and especially on this subject, which, perhaps, had better not be discussed on so joyous an occasion.
The evening was a pleasant one. Everyone present was delighted. Mr. Mocking-bird sang his sweetest. He had no rival and few capable critics, and he had the musical program all to himself. Mr. Frog thought and felt secretly that he could furnish a pleasing variation with one of his favorite bass solos, and Mrs. Frog was sure that if her Baby Frog of the soprano voice were given musical advantages she would take the shine out of any singer in the forest; but they were both too well bred to say anything. Mr. Frog, indeed, chimed in with his bass once or twice, with an stave or two, on the last line of the stanza, which he fancied helped matters along famously; but, as he led the applause by crying out “Bravo,” he excited no comment.
The dinner was bountiful and of such variety as to furnish each guest that which he or she most desired—from great fish for Mr. Otter and Mrs. Otter to blooming hollyhocks for Mr. Humming-bird and Mrs. Humming-bird. Curious delicacies were served in tiny buttercups and in pale-tinted morning-glories that had been kept in the dark and had not closed their eyes. Corn was provided for Mr. Jaybird and Mrs. Jaybird from “volunteer” stalks that grew in the farmer’s cotton patch near by. Assorted nuts of excellent flavor were furnished Mr. Squirrel and Mrs. Squirrel, and those who liked this kind of food.
Mrs. Rabbit laid great store by her bread, of which she was very proud. It was not sliced and laid within reach of her guests, as is usually done. Mrs. Rabbit put her left arm around a huge loaf, which she pressed firmly against her breast and, with a knife in the other hand moved about from guest to guest, cutting and serving each in turn with a generous piece. As each guest politely praised her cooking and housewifery her face beamed with pleasure, and she forgot all about her old grey gown with its fur trimmings. The pleasure she felt she communicated to those around her, and all were supremely happy until a becoming hour for departure.
The guests went their several ways after many good-byes and promises to meet again, and each was in the best of spirits. The day was long remembered in the forest.
When the guests had gone and the little ones had cuddled down in bed Mrs. Rabbit confessed that while she was tired, she had never enjoyed herself as much in her life and, she added, “I never thought our neighbors were such charming people. They all seemed delighted and happy.”
Mr. Rabbit had eaten bountifully and was somewhat drowsy and his philosophy may not have been wholly sound. Nevertheless, he said with much gravity and deliberation: “Happiness is what the learned ones call a personal equation. It rests largely with ourselves. Those who selfishly seek it never find it. Those who give it to others find their own store increasing in exact proportion to the amount they dispense. Happiness is like the purse of Fortunatus that could never be emptied. You were proud of your bread and with reason. It proved that you could do one thing well and whoso does one thing well is master of many things. When you sought to make others happy you found no trouble. In making others happy lies concealed the secret of our own happiness. Your neighbors have not changed only as you have changed them. The change is in yourself. Whenever you feel morose, despondent and unhappy, set about to do some one some good and joy will return; because doing good to others is life’s chief luxury, and it never palls.”
By this time Mrs. Rabbit was nodding, but Mr. Rabbit did not notice it, so interested was he in his own wisdom and so charmed by his own eloquence. After a slight pause they both retired to enjoy a sweet and refreshing sleep.
