“Oh, you wouldn’t! You’re very modest and good today. Well, I know you referred to me.”
Bumper wished to end the conversation, and started to hop away, but Billy suddenly jumped to his feet.
“You’re so proud of your white coat that I’m going to soil it for you,” he exclaimed.
Before Bumper realized what he intended to do, Billy began pelting him with mud, which he dug up with his hind legs. It spattered all over Bumper, and some of it went in his eyes so that he couldn’t see which way to run. This was great fun to Billy, and he set up a shout of laughter.
“Now you’re as spotted as Mr. Turtle and nearly as black. Ho! Ho! What a sight!”
Even this humiliation of Bumper didn’t satisfy him. He wanted to roll him in the mud, and quick as a wink he leaped for him and caught him by the back. Then before Bumper could run away he had him down in the soft mud, which clung to him and turned his beautiful white fur a nasty brown.
“Now look at yourself!” laughed Billy. “You’re about as homely looking as any rabbit in the woods.”
Billy had returned to the place where he had been sunning himself, and flung himself down to rest and laugh. Bumper stood twenty feet away spattered from head to foot with the mud. He was so upset by this unwarranted attack and humiliation that for a moment he could not speak. His one desire was to get even with Billy, and punish him.
Then as if in answer to his wish there came the opportunity. Gliding out of the bushes with stealthy tread, approaching Billy from behind was Sneaky the Wolf. In their struggle neither one had noticed his approach. He had crept almost upon them before Bumper happened to see him.
Sneaky was after Billy the Mink, for he was much the nearest, and was larger and fatter than Bumper. He offered such a tempting dinner that Sneaky was all atremble, crouching for the spring.