Mr. Crow shook his head.
"It really doesn't matter," he said, talking very fast. "You know, I invited everybody to meet my old friend, Major Monkey. And here he is, all ready to tell you about his travels. But first we'll have a little music."
It was now the Major's turn to look uneasy.
"Music!" he echoed. "I hope you haven't gone and got a hand-organ!"
"No—not that!" said Mr. Crow. "The Woodchuck brothers are going to whistle for us."
"Oh!" said the Major, who appeared much relieved. "I was afraid you had a hand-organ. And I don't care for that sort of music. I've heard too much of it on my travels."
At a signal from Mr. Crow, the Woodchuck brothers stepped forward and started to whistle a lively tune, called "Clover Blossoms." Being very fond of clover blossoms, the musicians began whistling in a most spirited fashion. But they had bad luck.
Though he did not know the tune, Major Monkey insisted on whistling, too. And all the company stopped up their ears, except Mr. Crow. He stood the noise as long as he could. And then he ordered the whistlers to stop. "What tune were you whistling?" he asked the Major.
"It's called 'Banana Blossoms,'" Major Monkey explained. "You see, I'm very fond of bananas."
Old Mr. Crow laughed.