o tight round balls, and went to
sleep.

"While they were dreaming away, a fox came along. He was a cunning old
codger, and hated Grumpy-growly like mustard, because the old fellow had
once treated him, in a fit of rage, to a hug that nearly put an end to
him. When he saw the sons of his enemy asleep, he made up his mind to
fool them in revenge; and after he had rummaged both their carpet bags,
to see if there was anything worth taking, he went up to Titehugge and
pulled his ear a little to waken him. Titehugge, who was as cross as
two sticks, and always fighting his brothers, opened his eyes, and for
a moment looked so very like giving the fox a gentle squeeze, that foxy
was rather startled. However, he took courage, and laying his paw on his
heart, he made the bear such an elegant bow that he nearly cracked his
spine. 'Ah, my d-e-a-r Titehugge! so glad to see you. You know I have
always been a great friend of your dear papa's, and now, I should be
overjoyed to do you a little favor. Do you happen to know that there is
a tree near here, which is hollow from root to branches, and filled with
wild bees' combs and honey?'

"'No! cried Titehugge, 'is there? Show it to me directly, master fox,
and don't stand there gaping at me!' You see, bears were never
celebrated for being polite, and Titehugge had no more manners than any
of 'em.

"'Come along, then,' said the fox, 'but take care to make no noise, or
you will waken your brother, and then he'll be wanting to have half the
honey.'

"Titehugge was a selfish little pig--bear, I mean--and though he felt
rather shy of going off alone for the first time in his life, he was too
greedy after the honey to let that trouble him much. However, he said,
'You had better be careful not to play any tricks, master fox, for if
you do, I'll give you a hug that will settle _you_--if you are such a
dear friend of mine.'

"'My d-e-a-r friend!' exclaimed the fox, 'd-o-n't say so! How can you
suppose I would do such a shabby thing? Come, we shall soon be at the
tree.'

"Titehugge waited for nothing more, but started off with master fox, who
kept on flattering him all the way until Titehugge thought him the
first-_ratest_ fellow in the whole world. Presently they came to the
hollow tree, and Titehugge, without waiting to ask any questions,
shinned up like a streak of lightning, and began smelling down the hole.
'But, it looks very dark down here,' cried he at last 'and I don't see
any h