to, he can make it sound just like the voice of any one
of yo'alls. We uns is right sorry fo' the trouble we uns have made. It was
all a joke, and now we asks yo' pardon. Mah friend Mistah Mockah would like
to stay here and live, if yo'alls is willing," said Unc' Billy.

XXVI

MR. MOCKER MAKES HIMSELF AT HOME

At first, when the little meadow and forest people were asked to pardon the
tricks that Mr. Mocker and Unc' Billy Possum had played, a few were
inclined not to. While they were talking the matter over, Mr. Mocker began
to sing again that wonderful song of his. It was so beautiful that by the
time it was ended, every one was ready to grant the pardon. They crowded
around him, and because he is good-natured, he made his voice sound just
like the voice of each one who spoke to him. Of course they thought that
was great fun, and by the time Unc' Billy Possum's moonlight party broke
up, Mr. Mocker knew that he had made so many friends that he could stay in
the Green Forest as long as he pleased.

But there were a lot of little people who were not at Unc' Billy Possum's
party, because they go to bed instead of going out nights. Of course they
heard all about the party the next morning and were very anxious indeed to
see the stranger with the wonderful voice. So Mr. Mocker went calling with
Ol' Mistah Buzzard, and they visited all the little meadow and forest
people who had not been at the party. Of course Mr. Mocker had to show off
his wonderful voice to each one. When he had finished, he was tuckered put,
was Mr. Mocker, but he was happy, for now he had made friends and could
live on the edge of the Green Forest with his old friends, Unc' Billy
Possum and Ol' Mistah Buzzard.

So he soon made himself at home and, because he was happy, he would sing
all day long. And sometimes, when the moon was shining, he woke up in the
night and would sing for very joy. Now Peter Rabbit thought the newcomer's
voice such a wonderful thing that he used to follow him around just to hear
him fool others by making his voice sound like theirs. It was great fun.
Peter and Mocker became great friends, and so when Peter heard it whispered
around that Mr. Mocking-bird had not come by his wonderful voice honestly,
he didn't believe a word of it and was very indignant. Of course he
couldn't go to Mr. Mocker himself and ask him, for he didn't want Mr.
Mocker to know that such unkind things were being said. Finally he thought
of Grandfa