Feeling more and more foolish every minute, the twins told Mother Bear all about Peter Rabbit, how they had tried to catch him, and how they had lost their tempers when they bumped into each other.
Mother Bear’s eyes twinkled, but she took care that the twins should not see that twinkle.
“You ought to be spanked, both of you,” said she sternly; “and the next time I know of you fighting you will be spanked. I won’t spank you this time, because I hope you have learned a lesson. When two people fight over a thing, some one else is likely to get it. People who lose their tempers usually lose more, just as you lost your chance to catch Peter Rabbit. Now all the Green Forest will laugh at you, and Peter Rabbit will boast that he was smarter than two Bears.”
“We’ll get even with him yet,” muttered Boxer.
“No, you won’t,” declared Mother Bear. “Peter Rabbit will never give you a chance.”
And this is exactly what Peter Rabbit had resolved himself.
CHAPTER XV
THE TWINS MEET THEIR FATHER
Beware the stranger with a smile