e he felt better.

"Well, Granny," said he, "let's start for the Old Pasture. The snow
has crusted over, and we won't find it such hard going as it was last
night."

Granny arose and followed Reddy out to the doorstep. She walked stiffly.
The truth is, she ached in every one of her old bones. At least, that is
the way it seemed to her. She looked towards the Old Pasture. It seemed
very far away. She sighed wearily. "I don't believe I'll go, Reddy,"
said she. "You run along and luck go with you."

Reddy turned and stared at Granny suspiciously. You know his is a very
suspicious nature. Could it be that Granny had some secret plan of her
own to get a meal and wanted to get rid of him?

"What's the matter with you?" he demanded roughly. "It was you who
proposed going over to the Old Pasture."

Granny smiled. It was a sad sort of smile. She is wonderfully sharp and
smart, is Granny Fox, and she knew what was in Reddy's mind as well as
if he had told her.

"Old bones don't rest and recover as quickly as young bones, and I just
don't feel equal to going over there now," said she. "The truth is,
Reddy, I am growing old. I am going to stay right here and rest. Perhaps
then I'll feel able to go hunting to-night. You trot along now, and if
you get more than a stomachful, just remember old Granny and bring her a
bite."

There was something in the way Granny spoke that told Reddy she was
speaking the truth. It was the very first time she ever had admitted
that she was growing old and was no longer the equal of any Fox. Never
before had he noticed how gray she had grown. Reddy felt a feeling of
shame creep over him,--shame that he had suspected Granny of playing a
sharp trick. And this little feeling of shame was followed instantly by
a splendid thought. He would go out and find food of some kind, and he
would bring it straight back to Granny. He had been taken care of by
Granny when he was little, and now he would repay Granny for all she had
done for him by taking care of her in her old age.

"Go back in the house and lie down, Granny," said he kindly. "I am going
to get something, and whatever it may be you shall have your share."
With this he trotted off towards the Old Pasture and somehow he didn't
mind the ache in his stomach as he had before.

CHAPTER XIV: Three Vain And Foolish Wishes

There's nothing so foolishly silly and vain
As to wish for a thing you can never attain.
--Old Granny Fox.

We