"Very well. Let us wait," agreed the Rooster, unwillingly. He was eager to fight Porcupine. "I know nothing will come of it."
"This is my affair," answered Turkey Gobbler calmly. "Just stay around and hear what I say."
All the birds formed a ring around Porcupine and waited.
Turkey Gobbler walked around the stranger, coughed and said:
"Listen, Mr. Porcupine. Let us have a serious explanation. In general, I do not like domestic troubles."
"Heavens! How wise! How wise he is!" thought Turkey Hen, listening to her husband, silent with admiration.
"First of all, I want you to understand that you are in respectable, well-behaved society," said Turkey Gobbler, "and that means something. Yes, you may consider it an honor to get into our company."
"True! True!" shouted several.
"But this is between ourselves. The main thing is not ..." here Turkey Gobbler stopped, was silent a moment for better effect, then continued, "Yes, the main thing is—did you really think that we had no idea what a Porcupine was? I have no doubt that Gander was only joking when he took you for a mushroom. And I can say the same of what Rooster and the others said. Am I not right, ladies and gentlemen?"
"You certainly are, Turkey Gobbler," shouted the fowls in a voice so loud, that poor Gray Porcupine tucked in her little black snout.