“Well, well!” said Bumper, scratching his nose thoughtfully. “You’re both right, I suppose, but one must be wrong.”
“I discovered it first,” interrupted Billy, “and that made it mine.”
“And I was first down here,” said Washer angrily.
“It seems to me,” remarked Bumper, “that this is a knotty question to settle. Suppose you both give it up, and then neither will have the advantage.”
“Huh!” growled Washer. “You want it for yourself.”
“I don’t see why I should give it up,” added Billy, “not even to you, Bumper.”
“You misunderstand me, Billy. I didn’t want it for myself, but you and Washer can’t stand here forever disputing about the ownership. You’d never get settled. We want peace in the new woods.”
The dispute might have lasted indefinitely, for Bumper was puzzled how to settle it; but just as he was thinking he would have to give it up Groundy the Woodchuck rushed down the hole, and seeing so many there he stopped in surprise.
“Hello! I didn’t know I had company in my new home!” he exclaimed. “Well, I’m glad to see all of you. It’s a nice comfortable home, isn’t it? Almost as good as the one I had in the North Woods. Welcome all of you!”
“Well, if that isn’t the limit!” exclaimed Washer.