The Curlytops sat down on the ground and waited, while the ponies with the reins over their heads—which was a sign that they must not go far away—cropped the sweet grass.
"I wish we could eat grass," said Janet, after a bit.
"Why?"
"Then we could eat it like the ponies do and not be hungry."
"It would be a good thing," Teddy agreed. "But we can't. I chewed some sour grass once, but I didn't swallow it."
"I ate some watercress once at home," said Janet. "But I didn't like it. Anyhow I don't guess watercress grows around here."
"No," agreed Teddy.
Then they sat and watched the ponies eating in the darkness. Clipclap was wandering farther off than Teddy liked and he jumped up and hurried after his animal. As he caught him Teddy saw something on the ground a little way off. It was something round and black, and, now that the moon had come up, he could see more plainly.
"What's the matter, Teddy?" Janet called to him, as she saw him standing motionless, after he had taken hold of Clipclap's bridle. "What are you looking at?"
"I don't know what it is," Teddy answered. "Maybe it's a prairie dog, but he's keepin' awful still. Come and look, Janet."