“Well,” said Mr. Rabbit solemnly, “when you see Aaron, take his left hand in both of yours, bend his thumb back a little, and with your right thumb make this mark
. The first time he will pay no attention. Make it the second time. Then he will be ready to listen. Make it the third time. Then he will ask you what you want. Say to him that you want to learn the language of the animals.”
“Won’t he get angry?” asked Buster John.
“Try him,” replied Mr. Rabbit with a cunning look. “Now, good-by!”
“When you get ready to come again,” said Mrs. Meadows, “just drop a big apple in the spring, and I’ll be bound we’ll all see it and know what it means. And when you come be sure and bring the apple. It’s been a month of Sundays since I’ve had one.”
The children promised they would, and then, with Mr. Thimblefinger leading the way, they started home, which they reached without further adventure. As they stood on the brink of the spring, waving their hands to Mr. Thimblefinger, who was smiling at them from the bottom, Drusilla remarked with unction:—
“I dunner how ’t is wid you all, but I don’t no mo’ b’lieve we been down dar under dat water dar dan—dan—dan de man in de moon. Dat I don’t!”
Then the youngsters heard the supper-bell ring, and they all ran towards the house.
