"Well," answered Puss, startled at the sudden appearance of Mr. Fox, "I thought it pretty mean of you to steal his goose, but now that I've found out what a foolish man Mr. Slipper-Slopper is, I'm glad you have a good dinner in store for yourself and family."
"That's very nice of you," said Mr. Fox, with another grin.
"Neither have I forgotten that you helped me out of the forest," continued Puss, "and I feel very friendly toward you."
"If that's the case," said the fox in a kind voice, "you come home with me and Mrs. Fox will give you some of the best roast duck you ever tasted in your life."
ROAST DUCK
PUSS, JUNIOR, accepted the invitation of Mr. Fox to dine, for he was hungry, and the very thought of roast duck for supper made his mouth water.
"Thank you, Mister Fox," he answered. "Let me carry the duck for you—the goose is enough of a load!"
"You are right," replied the fox, handing the duck to Puss. "It was a hard run up that hill. If I had known the farmer better, however, I wouldn't have hurried so."