“Tooty fruiti!” shouted Old Barney Owl, just like that, so frightening poor Uncle Lucky that he closed the window with a bang and hopped into bed. But, dear me! again. No sooner had he pulled the coverlet up to his chin and tucked his long gray whiskers in, than a dreadful knocking shook the door and rattled the carpet tacks in the floor!
“Goodness gracious meebus!” whispered the old gentleman rabbit under his breath and under the crazyquilt over his head as he cuddled down tight in his old wooden bed.
Again some one knocked on the door so hard that the doorknob came off and fell in the yard.
“Who can that be? What shall I do? I’m afraid to open the door and I’m afraid not to. Which is the worst to do, for whatever I do, it will be that, all right, and all wrong!”
“Make believe there’s no one home,
Stay in bed and do not roam
On your tiptoe ’round the house;
Keep as quiet as a mouse,”
whispered a little voice.
“Who gives me such good advice?” asked the old gentleman rabbit in a trembly whisper.