“Wha—what was it?” she whispered.
“I think it was Hooty the Owl,” Peter whispered back, “but he didn't see us.” After what seemed like a long, long time they heard Hooty's fierce hunting call, but it came from way back of them on the edge of the Old Pasture. Peter hopped to his feet.
“Come on,” said he. “There's nothing to fear from him now.”
So slowly and watchfully Peter led the way down across the Green Meadows while the little Stars looked down and twinkled in the most friendly way, and just as jolly, round, red Mr. Sun started to kick off his bedclothes behind the Purple Hills they reached the dear Old Briar-patch.
“Here we are!” cried Peter.
“Oh, I'm so glad!” cried little Miss Fuzzytail, hopping along one of Peter's private little paths.
CHAPTER XXII. SAMMY JAY BECOMES CURIOUS
Learn all you can about others,
but keep your own affairs to yourself.
—Peter Rabbit.