The next day and the next day and the day after that, Peter saw Reddy Fox do the same thing, and all the time Peter's curiosity grew and grew and grew. He didn't say anything about it to any one, but just puzzled and puzzled over it.
Late that afternoon Peter beard footsteps just outside the Old Briar-patch. Peeping out, he saw Old Man Coyote passing. Peter's curiosity could be kept down no longer.
“How do you do, Mr. Coyote?” said Peter in a very small and frightened sounding voice, but in a very polite manner.
Old Man Coyote stopped and peeped through the brambles. “Hello, Peter Rabbit,” said he. “I haven't had the pleasure of meeting you outside of the Old Briar-patch for some time.” He grinned when he said this in a way that showed all his long sharp teeth.
“No,” replied Peter, “I—I—well, you see, I'm afraid of Old Granny and Reddy Fox.”
Old Man Coyote grinned again, for he knew that it was himself Peter really feared. “Pooh, Peter Rabbit! You shouldn't be afraid of them!” said he. “They're not very smart. You ought to be able to keep out of their way.”
Peter hopped a little nearer to the edge of the Old Briar-patch. “Tell me, Mr. Coyote, what is Reddy Fox watching you for every day when you take your sun-nap?”
“What's that?” demanded Old Man Coyote sharply.
He listened gravely while Peter told him what he had seen. When Peter had finished, Mr. Coyote smiled, and somehow this time he didn't show all those dreadful teeth.
“Thank you, Peter Rabbit,” said he. “You have done me a great favor, and I hope I can return it some time. Do you know, I believe that we are going to be friends.”