He didn't stop to ask any questions. He knew that Mr. Dog was out early, too, and that he'd found his tracks and was a-coming lickety split.
"What does that mean—lickety split?"
I don't know, exactly, but Mr. Dog always runs that way when he chases Jack Rabbit, and Mr. Rabbit knew he had no time to waste.
He ran faster than Mr. Dog at first, and got far enough ahead so that when directly he saw Mr. Robin on a limb he slacked up a little minute and said:—
"Mr. Dog's coming to call, and I'm going home to get my house ready."
Then pretty soon he saw Mr. Bluebird, but he didn't have time to pause again.
"Where are you going so fast, Mr. Rabbit?" said the Bluebird.
"To get ready for Mr. Dog; he's coming to call," said the Rabbit as he went by like a streak. Then a little further on he met Mr. Turtle.
"Hi, there!" called the Turtle. "Where are you going so fast, Mr. Rabbit?"
"Dog coming—clean house!" shouted Jack Rabbit, 'most out of breath.