And then he fell asleep, and snored ever so much louder than he had the previous day. He slept longer, too. And by the time he awakened, Billy Woodchuck was quite worn out, and ready to fall asleep himself.
This time Uncle Jerry did not wait to stretch himself. As soon as he opened his eyes he leapt to his feet and started off.
“Meet me here to-morrow at the same hour,” he ordered.
“But you haven’t paid me for to-day!” Billy Woodchuck cried.
Uncle Jerry stopped.
“I declare, I’d forgotten all about that,” he said. “I’ll tell you what I’ll do.... You know, turn about is fair play. So if you want to take a nap, you can lie right down here and take it. And I’ll do more for you than you did for me. I’ll keep track of the time. And when the sun gets over the big elm by the brook, I’ll wake you up.”
Billy Woodchuck agreed. And as soon as he was fast asleep Uncle Jerry left him. You see, old Uncle Jerry Chuck was a sly old gentleman. He had said nothing at all about listening for danger.
So Billy Woodchuck slept on.
If the Great Horned Owl had happened along then, he could have caught Billy without any trouble.
But it was not Mr. Owl who passed that way, before the sun climbed above the big elm. Though some one did spy Billy, as he lay there sleeping.