But Peter had just had a narrow escape, a very
narrow escape, for Reddy Fox had sprung out from behind a bush as
Peter came down the Lone Little Path, and had so nearly caught Peter
that he had actually pulled some fur out of Peter's coat. Now Peter
was safe in the dear Old Briar-patch. He was a little out of breath,
because he had had to use his long legs as fast as he knew how, but he
was safe. You see, Reddy Fox wouldn't run the risk of tearing his
handsome red coat on the brambles. Besides, they scratched terribly.
"Never mind, Peter Rabbit, I'll get you yet!" snarled Reddy, as he
gave up and started back for the Green Forest.
"Reddy Fox is very sly!
Reddy Fox is very spry!
But sly and spry, 'tis vain to try
To be as sly and spry as I."
When Peter Rabbit shouted this, Reddy looked back and showed all his
teeth, but Peter only laughed, and Reddy trotted on. Peter watched him
out of sight.
"My! I wish I had such a handsome coat," he said, with a long sigh,
for you know Peter's coat is very plain, very plain, indeed.
"You wouldn't, if you had to wear it for the same reason that Reddy
Fox has to wear his. A good heart and honest ways are better than
fine clothes, Peter Rabbit."
Peter looked up. There was saucy, pert, little Jenny Wren fussing
around in one of the old bramble bushes.
"Hello, Jenny!" said Peter. "Why does Reddy wear a red coat?"
"Do you mean to say that you don't know?" Jenny Wren looked very hard
at Peter with her sharp eyes.
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