Evening star., 1943-04-24

Danny Meadow Mouse was hurry
ing back toward the place where he
had been parted from Nanny
Meadow Mouse. He Just couldn't
bear to 60 to their old home with
out her, so he had turned around
and was going back. He was so
sure that something must have
happened to her and that he never,
never would see her again that
tears were in his eyes and he didn't
half see where he was going. The
result was that he ran plump into
Peter Rabbit. 1t is question which
was the more startled.
"Ohi" cried Peter, jumping
straight up in the air and all ready
to run the instant he touched the
ground again. Then he saw who
it was and he fairly shouted-that
Is, he shouted as loud as Peter can
shout, which isn't loud at all.
Danny Meadow Mouse! Danny
Meadow Mouse! Let me feel of you
and see if it really Is you! Where
under the sun have you been all
winter? I thought something
dreadful must have happened to
you long ago. No one seemed to
know anything about you. Every
body has supposed that Shadow the
Weasel gobbled you up long ago.
Where have you been? What have
you been doing? Why haven't we
seen you before? Oh, but I am
glad to see you now! You have no
idea how you have been missed
Where is Nanny Meadow Mouse?"
At the mention of Nanny, the
tears in Danny's eyes overfowed.
That's what want to know, Peter"
he sobbed. Haven't you seen her
anywhere?"
NO. said Peter, IT haven't seen
her anywhere, but then I haven't
been where I would be likely to see
her. I had just reached this fence
row when you came humping into
me and scared me half to death :,
Danny had to smile through his
tears. In spite of his trouble, he
was tickled at the idea of having
frightened one so much bigger than
hlmself. Peter saw the smile and
chuckled himself, as if he thought
1t a great joke, as, indeed, he did.
If any one had told me that YOU
would or could make me Jump al
most out of my skin, wouldn't have
believed ii" said he. But you did,
and to pay for it you have got to
tell me all about your troubles,
Danny Meadow Mouse. Now, what
has happened to Nanny and when
did 1t happen? Begin at the BEGIN
nlng and tell me about it,"
Danny began to tell how Redtail
the Hawk had separated them. but
Peter interrupted. That isn't the
beginning or anywhere near the
beginning, Danny Meadow Mouse {"
said he severely. Where were YOU
all winter? Begin with the time YOU
left your old home on the Green
Meadows"
So, because he saw there was no
way out OF it, Danny began at the
beginning and told Peter how he
and Nanny had moved to the corn
field and made a new home in a
corn shock: how Farmer Brown and
his boy had come and carried the
corn away In wagon, taking DANNY
ana Nanny with it; how thev had
spent a happy and comfortable
winter IN Farmer Browns barn:
now with the coming of sweet Mis-
tress Spring they had grown home
sick for the Green Meadows: how
they had started on the long iournev
PACK, and finally how they had been
separated and how he, Danny. didn't
know what had become of Nanny
Peter listened with eyes stretched
WIDE in wonder at Danny's strange
tale, but when he reached the mart
about the parting with Nanny. then
Peter forgot everything but Dannv's
trouble and a great desire to helm
him. e
Stop your worrying, Danny said
ne. Nanny is quite able to take
care Of herself. and I'm goine to
help you find her."
will you, Peter? Oh. will vou9"
cried Danny. you've made me feel
better already. You can't think how
mucn better you have made me