here they had
been sure they would find plenty. You see, Farmer Brown's boy had
gathered every egg when he shut the biddies up for the night. Did you
ever notice what a bad thing for the temper disappointment often is?

[Illustration]

XIX

JIMMY SKUNK IS TRUE TO HIS WORD

Unc' Billy Possum was having a bad night of it. When he had grown tired
of quarreling with Jimmy Skunk, he had tried to take a nap. He had tried
first one nest and then another, but none just suited him. This was
partly because he wasn't sleepy. He was hungry and not at all sleepy. He
wished with all his heart that he hadn't foolishly yielded to that fit
of temper which had resulted in kicking that china nest-egg out of a
nest and down on the head of Jimmy Skunk, making Jimmy so thoroughly
angry.

Unc' Billy had no intention of going down while Jimmy was there. He
thought that Jimmy would soon grow tired of waiting and go away. So for
quite awhile Unc' Billy didn't worry. But as it began to get towards
morning he began to grow anxious. Unc' Billy had no desire to be found
in that henhouse when Farmer Brown's boy came to feed the biddies.

Then, too, he was hungry. He had counted on a good meal of eggs, and not
one had he found. Now he wanted to get out to look for something else to
eat, but he couldn't without facing Jimmy Skunk, and it was better to go
hungry than to do that. Yes, Sir, it was a great deal better to go
hungry. Several times, when he thought Jimmy was asleep, he tried to
steal down. He was just as careful not to make a sound as he could be,
but every time Jimmy knew and was waiting for him. Unc' Billy wished
that there was no such place as Farmer Brown's henhouse. He wished he
had never thought of eggs. He wished many other foolish wishes, but most
of all he wished that he hadn't lost his temper and kicked that egg down
on Jimmy Skunk's head. When the first light stole in under the door and
the biddies began to stir uneasily on their roosts Unc' Billy's anxiety
would allow him to keep still no longer.

"Don' yo' think we-uns better make up and get out of here, Brer Skunk?"
he ventured.

"I don't mind staying here; it's very comfortable," replied Jimmy,
looking up at Unc' Billy in a way that made him most _uncomfortable_. It
was plain to see that Jimmy hadn't forgiven him.

For some time Unc' Billy said no more, but he grew more and more
restless. You see, he knew it would soon be time for Farmer Brown's boy
to come