“But I hear there's great news over here in the Old Briar-patch,” persisted Jimmy Skunk. “What is it, Peter?”
Peter pretended to be very much surprised. “Great news!” he repeated. “Great news! Why, what news can there be over here? Who told you that?”
“A little bird told me,” replied Jimmy slyly.
“It must have been Jenny Wren!” said Peter, once more speaking before he thought.
“Then there IS news over here!” cried Jimmy triumphantly. “What is it, Peter?”
But Peter shook his head as if he hadn't the slightest idea and couldn't imagine. Jimmy coaxed and teased, but all in vain. Finally he started for home no wiser than before.
“Just the same, I believe that Jenny Wren told the truth and that there is news over in the Old Briar-patch,” he muttered to himself. “Something has happened over there, and Peter won't tell. I wonder what it can be.”