II
WHY PETER RABBIT CANNOT FOLD HIS HANDS
Happy Jack Squirrel sat with his hands folded across his white
waistcoat. He is very fond of sitting with his hands folded that way.
A little way from him sat Peter Rabbit. Peter was sitting up very
straight, but his hands dropped right down in front. Happy Jack
noticed it.
"Why don't you fold your hands the way I do, Peter Rabbit?" shouted
Happy Jack.
"I--I--don't want to," stammered Peter.
"You mean you can't!" jeered Happy Jack.
Peter pretended not to hear, and a few minutes later he hopped away
towards the dear Old Briar-patch, lipperty-lipperty-lip. Happy Jack
watched him go, and there was a puzzled look in Happy Jack's eyes.
"I really believe he can't fold his hands," said Happy Jack to
himself, but speaking aloud.
"He can't, and none of his family can," said a gruff voice.
Happy Jack turned to find Old Mr. Toad sitting in the Lone Little
Path.
"Why not?" asked Happy Jack.
"Ask Grandfather Frog; he knows," replied Old Mr. Toad, and started on
about his business.
And this is how it happens that Grandfather Frog told this story to
the little meadow and forest people gathered around him on the bank of
the Smiling Pool.
"Chug-a-rum!" said Grandfather Frog. "Old Mr. Rabbit, the grandfather
a thousand times removed of Peter Rabbit, was always getting into
trouble. Yes, Sir, old Mr. Rabbit was always getting into trouble.
Seemed like he wouldn't be happy if he couldn't get into trouble.
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