For you are much younger than I.”
“It is a capital story,” laughed Reynard, when Snowball had finished. “I saw Tiny laughing many times.”
Before the squirrel could thank the cat for his kindness, Billy Beaver pounded at the door, and in another moment stood before them.
“I overheard you talking about me, Mr. Snowball; also about Rover and others,” he said, turning to the cat, who, in the moonlight, looked very pale and frightened.
“Did I understand you to say that you were eavesdropping?” Snowball finally inquired, with a show of dignity.
“It is no worse to eavesdrop than it is to gossip about one’s closest friends,” replied the beaver. “I have seen Miss Hare. I told her that you were not pleased with your roommate, and she has ordered me to make a change. In the future you shall room with Weenie Mouse.”
“How terrible!” exclaimed Puss, greatly shocked. “I shall be under restraint all the time. Poor Rover! Perhaps he has had his hard times, too. What if I should get vexed at Weenie and swallow him?”
“Miss Hare says that you will never do that, because her pupils are too strong to yield to temptation,” said the beaver, seriously.
“But why does Miss Hare punish poor Weenie by making him room with a cat?” gasped Puss.
“Because Weenie was found in Miss Hare’s pantry again, helping himself to corn and other dainties,” replied Billy Beaver. “Miss Hare wishes you to room with Weenie so that you can restrain each other. The best way to cure two disturbers who dislike each other is to make them live together.”