"It's a fine evening!" said Benny.
The owl merely stared at him, round-eyed, and made no reply.
"I say, it's a fine evening!" Benny repeated in a louder tone.
"Very well!" the owl replied. "You may say it as often as you wish. I'm sure I have no objection.... But you don't need to come any nearer," he added.
Benny Badger stopped and squatted in the grass. He was glad to rest, for he was—as has been said—no great traveller.
"Is anybody at home?" he asked presently.
"Somebody is," said the owl.
"Then I'll dig right in as soon as I get my breath," said Benny Badger, glancing at the hole.
"Do you want to see somebody?" the owl asked. "For if you do, there's no need of your doing any digging here."
"Why not?" Benny inquired.