“What is a rinktum?” asked Toto. “And why don’t you want them to know about it?”
“Why, a rinktum is a rabbit’s ball, of course. What else should it be?” answered Chucky. “The rabbits have invited me; but at the last one Coon ate up all the supper, and bit the rabbits if they tried to get any; so they determined not to invite him again, and asked me not to say anything about it.”
“Oh, Chucky,” exclaimed Toto, “I wish you would take me! I have never been to a rabbit’s ball, and I should like to go so much! and I wouldn’t eat anything at all!” he added, seeing that the woodchuck looked doubtful.
Chucky brightened up at the last remark, and said, “Well, after all, I don’t see why I shouldn’t take you. They are always glad to see people, if they will only behave themselves. So come along, Toto;” and the fat little creature hurried along, with Toto following him.
“You may have some difficulty,” he said as they went along, “in getting into the ball-room, but I think you will be able to squeeze through. It is in the Big Burrow, which is certainly large enough for any reasonable creature. Here we are now at the mouth of the burrow.”
They were crossing a rough, uneven meadow, with trees and shrubs thickly scattered over it; and the woodchuck stopped at a large juniper-bush, in front of which sat a black rabbit.
“How do you do, Woodchuck?” inquired the rabbit. “And who is this with you?”
“This is a—a—a boy, in fact,” said the woodchuck in some embarrassment. “He is a great friend of mine, and has never seen a rinktum in his life, so I ventured to bring him. He—he won’t eat anything!” he added in a whisper.
The rabbit bowed to Toto by way of reply, and pulling aside the branches of the juniper-bush, disclosed a large hole in the ground.
“Follow me,” said the woodchuck; “I will lead the way.” And he disappeared through the mouth of the hole.