Puss watched them out of sight, then he heard the parson begin again:
"Oh, then," says Parson Rook,
"Who gives this maid away?"
"I do," says the Goldfinch,
"And her fortune I will pay;
"Here's a bag of grain of many sorts,
And other things besides;
Now happy be the bridegroom,
And happy be the bride."
Presently the rabbit returned. "Do you think she will like this?" he asked Puss, Jr., holding up a little white powder-puff. "I made it all myself. I had it put away in a little box for safe-keeping."
"It's very pretty," said Puss, Jr., with a smile. "What little bunny's tail did you cut off to make it with?"
"Not mine," replied the rabbit; "but don't ask me too many questions."
Just then the beaver came panting up. "Whew!" he cried. "I'd rather travel by water than by land; but, anyhow, I'm here. How do you think she will like my present?" and he held up a little gold ring.
"Just the thing!" cried Puss. "But where did you get it?"
"Oh, I found it on the bottom of the brook one day," replied the beaver, "so I picked it up and hung it on a nail; I thought it might come in handy some day."
"When shall we give her the present?" asked the squirrel.