XX
THE FAMILY ESCAPES
After that frightful noise, when her house suddenly grew light, and her husband ran away, Mrs. Woodchuck saw with dismay that there was a big hole in the ceiling. The earth had split open and the daylight was streaming in.
Mr. Woodchuck had been gone only a few moments when dog Spot began to bark. Mrs. Woodchuck could not see him; but she knew his voice only too well.
She was not quite sure what she ought to do. But there she was, with her house broken into, and five children on her hands.
Though she was frightened, she was brave just the same. And she had not the least idea of going anywhere without taking her family with her.
“Follow me!” she cried. And out of the room she hurried, with her youngsters close behind her.
Luckily, Mrs. Woodchuck’s back door was just out of sight of the men. They did not see her at all while she waited and counted her children as they came through the doorway.