A Maker of Thunder and A Friend in Black 



"I suppose," said Peter artfully, "her nest is 

 somewhere near here on the ground." 



"It's on the ground, Peter, but as to where it 

 is I am not saying a word. It may or it may not 

 be near here. Do you want to hear me thunder 

 again ? " 



Of course Peter said he did, and that was 

 sufficient excuse for Strutter to show off. Peter 

 stayed a while longer to gossip, but finding Strut- 

 ter more interested in thundering than in talking, 

 he once more started for home. 



"I really would like to know where that nest 

 is," said he to himself as he scampered along. 

 "I suppose Mrs. Grouse has hidden it so cleverly 

 that it is quite useless to look for it." 



On his way he passed a certain big tree. All 

 around the ground was carpeted with brown, 

 dead leaves. There were no bushes or young 

 trees there. Peter never once thought of looking 

 for a nest. It was the last place in the world he 

 would expect to find one. When he was well 

 past the big tree there was a soft chuckle and 

 from among the brown leaves right at the foot of 

 that big tree a head with a pair of the brightest 

 eyes was raised a little. Those eyes twinkled as 

 they watched Peter out of sight. 



"He didn't see me at all," chuckled Mrs. 

 Grouse, as she settled down once more. "That 

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