Now, if there was anything that Peter Mink disliked, it was cambric tea. If she had said "chicken broth," he might have liked that.
"I've been very ill," he said. "But now the doctor tells me I must have good, nourishing food—and plenty of it."
"Well, if you're well enough to eat, you're well enough to work," said Mrs. Rabbit.
"Oh, certainly!" answered Peter.
Mrs. Rabbit went into the house then. And when she came out again Peter Mink was surprised at what she brought. He had expected another plateful of goodies. But instead of that, Mrs. Rabbit had an axe in her hand.
"Here!" she said. "Take this out to the wood-pile—and use it! I want you to split every stick of wood you can find. Then knock on the door again and I'll bring you something to eat."
You ought to have seen Peter Mink scowl, as he walked away to the wood-pile with the axe on his shoulder. It was a lesson to anybody, never to frown!
"She needn't think she can make me work!" Peter said to himself. "I'll just break her old axe—that's what I'll do!" And he swung the axe with all his might at a stick of wood.
But the axe didn't break. And as for[p. 22] the stick, it fell in two pieces; for Peter had split it perfectly.