h the tips of
his ears, as he said in an apologetic tone:

"I really couldn't help it, you know. To think that Grandfather Fox
had chased me three or four times a year since I was old enough to run
by myself, and that at last I should lead him into a trap from which
he couldn't get out!"

Again Bunny gave way to his mirth, and for a time it really seemed as
if the story never would be ended; but he finally drew his face down
soberly, wiped his eyes again, and said, as he continued to rock back
and forth with his knees in his paws:

"When I heard the old fellow yelping the way he never did before, I
knew there wasn't any chance of his getting out of the trap, else he
wouldn't have made such a terrible row for fear of letting Mr. Man
know where he was, so I came out where he could see me, and oh, how
ugly he did look!

"'So this is the mean kind of trick you fixed up to play on a poor old
fox who never did you any harm?' he said with a whine, trying to look
as if he'd always been a friend of mine.

"'You never did me any harm, Grandfather, because you couldn't catch
me; but if you'd got your teeth in my back after coming across the
fence, I reckon there isn't any question but that I'd been introduced
to the company your wife has at home,' I said, keeping my ears bent
over my back so's to get the first warning of when Mr. Man or his boy
Tommy came up, as I know they would after a little while.

"'I was only trying to fool you, Bunny,' and the old fellow did his
best to grin friendly-like. 'Can't you take a bit of a joke from one
who has known you almost ever since you were born? I knew your father
before you, and a right respectable rabbit he was.'

"'I suppose that was why you ate him!' I cried, suddenly remembering
that it was this same old wretch who had eaten daddy. 'Most likely you
tried to make out that he was a particular friend of yours, and that's
why you did it.'

"'Was it your father I ate?' asked Grandfather Fox as if in surprise.
'Really you make me feel badly, Bunny, for I wouldn't hurt a single
hair on the head of anybody belonging to you, and you ought to know
that much by this time.'

"He didn't fool me a little bit, for I knew mighty well he would snap
my nose off that very minute if I should be so foolish as to give him
the chance.

"'Why don't you try to tell the truth for once in your life?' I asked,
and before he could answer I heard somebody coming through the bushes,
making as much noi