But while Mr. Rabbit was enjoying himself, [[28]]thinking this was the most wonderful place in the world, he overheard them talking. Then he found out why they had brought him there and shown him such honors. Horrified at the idea of losing his eyes, he determined to save his sight and play the tortoise a smart trick. However, of this he told no one.
So when he was politely informed by the royal executioners that he must give up his eyes to make the king well, Brother Bunny broke out with equally polite regrets:
“Really I am so sorry that His Majesty is ill, and you must excuse me that I cannot help him immediately, for the eyes I have in my head now are not real eyes, but only crystal. I was afraid that sea water would hurt my sight, so I took out my ordinary eyes, buried them in the sand and put on these crystal ones, which I usually wear in very dusty or wet weather.”
At this the faces of the royal officers fell. How could they break the news to His Majesty and disappoint him?
Brother Bunny seemed to be really sorry for them and spoke up.
“Oh! don’t feel bad about it. If you will allow me to return to the beach, I’ll dig them up and return in time for the poultice-making,” said the rabbit.
So, getting on Dr. Turtle’s back, Brother [[29]]Bunny was soon out of the water and on land.
In a jiffy he jumped off, scampered away, and reached the woods, showing only his cotton tail. Soon he was out of sight.
Dr. Turtle shed tears and returned to tell how a rabbit had outwitted him. [[30]]