“Silvertip!” cried he, “O Silvertip! I want to talk with you. How would you like to be eaten up?”
There was no answer, except a murmuring under his breath that he “guessed there wasn’t much danger.”
“Enjoy the acquaintance, do you, Silvertip?” asked Mr. Chipmunk. “Find me a pleasant talker? Ever tell anybody that you were going to eat me?”
Now Silvertip had told some of his friends exactly that, but this was before he knew so much about Chipmunks. He growled something under his breath about “Quit your teasing.”
“I will if you will quit trying to catch me,” answered Mr. Chipmunk. “Tell your friends that you changed your mind. Tell them that I am not to your taste. Tell them anything you wish, but let me alone and I will let you alone.”
“All right,” said Silvertip. “Now don’t you ever speak to me again.”
“Never!” answered Mr. Chipmunk. “Walnuts couldn’t hire me to!” And after that there was peace around the woodpile.
