“Growling and thunder, who is there?

Is it a doggie? Is it a bear?”

Curly-Tail replied in a terrible voice,

“Growling and thunder I’m hearty and hale

And my name, if you please, Sir, is Curly-Tail.”

Old Sly Foot was so surprised to see his visitor when he came out of the den that he had not a word to say, so Curly-Tail continued,

“Your doughnut jar I’ve come to borrow

Either to-day, or else to-morrow.”

Old Sly Foot was so upset at the mention of the stolen doughnut jar that he turned a backward somersault in the snow crying,