Mother West Wind's Neighbors by Thornton W. Burgess

Author:Thornton W. Burgess [Burgess, Thornton W.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780486146997
Publisher: Dover Publications
Published: 2012-10-23T00:00:00+00:00

VIII

Old Mrs. Possum’s Big Pocket

UNC’ Billy Possum came proudly down the Lone Little Path through the Green Forest towards the big hollow tree which he had made his home. Peter Rabbit was the first to see him coming. Peter hurried to meet him, for Peter had prepared a surprise party to greet Unc’ Billy and his family, for whom Unc’ Billy had sent a short time before.

When Unc’ Billy Possum saw all the little meadow and forest people gathered there to greet him and all the good things they had brought to eat, he was as surprised as Peter had hoped he would be. But Unc’ Billy didn’t show it! Oh, my, no! Unc’ Billy never lets on that he is surprised at anything; he just grinned and grinned as only Unc’ Billy Possum can grin.

“What yo’ alls doin’ at mah hollow tree?” demanded Unc’ Billy, grinning more broadly than ever.

“It’s a surprise party for you and your family,” said Peter Rabbit. “We thought that Mrs. Possum and the children would be hungry, so every one has brought something to eat. We want you to know how much we think of you and how glad we are that you are going to stay here in the Green Forest. I hope you will like the surprise party.”

Unc’ Billy made a very low bow. “Ah certainly am obliged to yo’ alls for sech a right smart welcome to mah family,” said Unc’ Billy. “Ah reckon we alls are going to stay right here in the Green Forest, because yo’ alls have made it so pleasant.”

Now all this time every one had been looking for Unc’ Billy’s family, and Danny Meadow Mouse could hold his curiosity in no longer.

“But where is your family, Unc’ Billy?” he interrupted.

Unc’ Billy grinned even more broadly than he had before. “Ah done left ’em back a piece, so as to see if the way was clear. Ah’ll go and fetch ’em.”

So Unc’ Billy Possum started off up the Lone Little Path, hurrying as fast as he could go, and everybody gathered close around his hollow tree and watched to see his family arrive. Pretty soon they saw him coming back down the Lone Little Path, and behind him came old Mrs. Possum. She looked so much like Unc’ Billy that Johnny Chuck giggled right out loud. Her gown was just as thin and just as worn and just as rumpled as Unc’ Billy’s old suit. Her face was just as sharp and just as crafty as Unc’ Billy’s. But while Unc’ Billy was grinning, old Mrs. Possum had never a smile; in fact, Mrs. Possum looked cross. She looked so cross that Peter Rabbit forgot all the nice things he had planned to say to her. You see, old Mrs. Possum had had a long journey, for she had come all the way from “Ol’ Virginny” and she was tired. The fact is, old Mrs. Possum had not wanted to come at all.

Now every one had thought that Unc’ Billy Possum had a big family, and when they saw no one but old Mrs.

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