Turkey Proudfoot settled himself on a branch of an old oak and looked down at a sharp-faced, grinning person who leered up at him. It was Tommy Fox. And[p. 88] though he looked very pleasant, inside he was feeling quite peevish. If it hadn't been for Mr. Grouse's warning he would surely have captured Turkey Proudfoot.
It was like Turkey Proudfoot not to thank his cousin. And it was like him, too, to fly into a rage.
"You might have warned me sooner," he complained to Mr. Grouse. "That red rascal is quick as lightning. He almost caught me."
"I thought you'd follow me when you saw me rise," said Mr. Grouse.
"I didn't see you."
"Well, you heard me, didn't you?"
"I heard a whirring sound," said Turkey Proudfoot, "but I didn't know what it was."
"Great snakes!" cried Mr. Grouse. "Farmer Green ought not to let you come into the woods—not if he expects you to[p. 89] spend Thanksgiving Day with him!"
Tommy Fox chuckled at that remark.
But Turkey Proudfoot never let on that he heard it. He crouched lower upon the limb of the oak tree and pretended to fall asleep.