XIII
A QUESTION OF FEET
“Are you sure you’re a cousin of mine?” Chirpy Cricket inquired of Mr. Mole Cricket. “Don’t you think that perhaps you are mistaken? I’m almost certain you are.”
“No!” said Mr. Mole Cricket. “I can’t be wrong. Why do you ask me such a question?”
“Your forefeet”—Chirpy told him—“your forefeet are so big! I’ve always understood that all our family had small ones.”
Mr. Mole Cricket smiled.
“Don’t let the size of my feet trouble you!” he replied. “I couldn’t be a Mole Cricket if my feet were like yours. You see, I use my forefeet for digging. And if they weren’t big and strong I never could burrow in this garden, nor anywhere else.”
Still Chirpy Cricket had his doubts.
“I’m inclined to believe,” he continued, “that you’re related to Grandfather Mole, and not to me. For your feet are very much like his.”