“He can't walk at all!” cried Johnny Chuck in triumph, sure now that Peter Rabbit hadn't heard the news.
“What's that?” demanded Peter, and Johnny Chuck could hear him begin to hop along one of his little private paths in the heart of the Old Briar-patch. He knew now that Peter Rabbit's curiosity was aroused, and he smiled to himself.
In a few minutes Peter thrust a sleepy-looking face out from the Old Briar-patch and grinned rather sheepishly. “What was that you were saying about Reddy Fox?” he asked again.
“I've a good mind not to tell you, Mr. Know-it-all,” exclaimed Johnny Chuck.
“Oh, please, Johnny Chuck,” pleaded Peter Rabbit.
Finally Johnny gave in. “I said that Reddy Fox can't walk. Aren't you glad, Peter?”
“How do you know?” asked Peter, for Peter is very suspicious of Reddy Fox, and has to watch out for his tricks all the time.
“Jimmy Skunk told me. He was up by Reddy's house early this morning and saw Reddy try to walk. He tried and tried and couldn't. You won't have to watch out for Reddy Fox for some time, Peter. Serves him right, doesn't it?''
“Let's go up and see if it really is true!” said Peter suddenly.
“All right,” said Johnny Chuck, and off they started.