"This Rabbit belongs to Madeline. I saw it over at her house when I called there one day. Did you take Madeline's Rabbit when you were in her house at the party? Oh, Tom, what a naughty boy! I am so sorry!"
She reached over and took the Candy Rabbit just in time, for Tom had been going to break off the ears.
"Why did you take it?" asked Tom's mother.
"Oh, er—just—because," he answered, squirming around. "Dick and Arnold had something, and I wanted something in my pocket. So I took the Rabbit."
"I must take it back and tell Madeline you are sorry, and you must tell her so yourself the next time you see her," said Tom's mother.
Tom's mother took the Easter toy back to Madeline, who had just missed him, and she and all the boys and girls still left at the party were hunting for him.
"Please forgive Tom for being so naughty as to take your Candy Rabbit," begged the boy's mother, and Madeline said she would.
"Oh, I am so glad to have you back!" cried Madeline, hugging her Candy Rabbit.
"And I am glad to get back," said the Rabbit, though of course he dared not speak aloud.
Madeline smoothed out the pink ribbon on the Bunny's neck. It had been crumpled in Tom's pocket. Then the little girl put her Rabbit away on a shelf in a closet while she helped her mother and the cook clear away the things after the party.