[p. 89]All this Mr. Meadow Mouse spread far and wide. And soon it reached the ears of old Mr. Crow.
"Ha!" Mr. Crow exclaimed. "So he's the thief! I'll have to teach him a lesson."
It was Jasper Jay that had related the news to his cousin, old Mr. Crow. And now he asked, "What about Grandfather Mole? Don't you think you ought to apologize to him?"
That was a strange thing for Jasper Jay to ask. He was the greatest rowdy in the woods, with shocking manners.
Mr. Crow gave Jasper a sidewise glance.
"Will you apologize for me?" he inquired. "I'm too busy to do it myself."
"Certainly I will!" Jasper Jay cried. "Leave that to me!" And he hurried off at once to find Grandfather Mole.
[p. 90]Jasper was lucky enough to see Grandfather Mole's head sticking out of the ground, when he reached the garden.
"I have a message for you!" Jasper told him. "My cousin Mr. Crow—the old black rascal!—was going to punish you for stealing corn. But he has made other arrangements."
"Mr. Crow"—Grandfather Mole spluttered—"Mr. Crow owes me an apology."