"What is it?" Mrs. Rabbit inquired. "I hope it's nothing catching. For just think what a fix we'd be in if all the children should have that same trouble!"
Aunt Polly told her not to worry.
"You'd better get a new bottle," she said, "for this one can't be cured. But I'll show you what to do to prevent the new hot-water bottle from getting full of holes like this one.... Get me a piece of string!" said Aunt Polly.
Now, for some reason or other, Jimmy Rabbit began to feel very uncomfortable. He was no longer in bed. And when he heard Aunt Polly ask for a piece of string he started to sneak out of the room.
But Aunt Polly saw him.
"Come back here!" she said. "I want you!" And she made Jimmy sit at her feet and wait until his mother returned.
"Here!" Mrs. Rabbit said when she came back at last. "Is this string what you need? It's a very strong piece."
"Just the thing!" Aunt Polly told her. And she took hold of Jimmy Rabbit.
He began to howl. And he squirmed. And he would have kicked, if he had dared.