Show bedtime story for f or children by THORNTON THORN TON W BURGESS PETER RABBIT ASKS AFTER OLD FRIENDS N no 0 SOONER had winsome bluebird finished telling how 01 mintah buzzard warms his toes on the chimneys of the houses in the faraway far away south than peter rabbit was full of questions about other friends who had been spending the long winter in the land of sunshine where is little friend the song sparrow he asked eagerly little friend of all is not very far away he replied in fact 0 t k cheerful rob robin I 1 think he will be here in a few days peter you see little friend loves the green meadows and the smiling pool so much that he cannot bear to go any farther away than he has to I 1 guess he feels just as I 1 do and so he go way way down south as some do but just far enough to be comfortable and to be sure that he will be able to get enough to eat I 1 heard him singing only a few days ago and he said to tell his friends up here that he is on his way my but ill be glad to hear him again said peter with a sigh somehow I 1 always feel better when I 1 hear the voice of little friend I 1 hope nothing will happen to him on the way oh I 1 guess not replied winsome bluebird you see eve everybody ry bod Y loves him so that hat t nobody wants to harm him he any beautiful suit hes just the plainest little fellow I 1 guess he is just loved because why because hes always so cheery and lovable yes said peter 1 I guess the reason it must be beautiful to be loved like that I 1 suppose youve seen cheerful robin this winter oh rr rn r besl yes I 1 cheerful and I 1 have been together a great deal this winter hes coming right along and if I 1 dont watch out and get et about my business mistress spring will be making him her herald instead of me he looks just as fine as ever and he really is very well and in splendid spirits considering the hard time he has had ever since he left here what do you mean cheerful find enough to eat down south demanded peter pricking up his long ears plenty plenty replied winsome bluebird its the way people treat him down there men and boys are altogether too fond of cheerful peter looked up quickly to see if winsome was joking but he seem to be indeed he seemed to have a kind of sorrowful look as if thinking of the hard time cheerful robin had had made him feel bad if they are so fond of him I 1 should think that cheerful would have the best kind of a time said peter they are fond of him in the wrong way replied winsome sadly they are fond of him to eat and cheerful has bas to be watching out all the time for dreadful guns I 1 wish he had come along up with me I 1 wont feel quite easy until I 1 see him dont you think guns are dreadful things peter rabbit yes the most dreadful adful things in all the world replied peter promptly but I 1 suppose that cheerful robin ever had anything to fear from them I 1 dont see what he goes down south for if that is the way they treat him he has to get enough to eat replied winsome bluebird just as I 1 do if it for that we either of us go because you know we love the green meadows and the smiling pool and the old orchard so now I 1 have sat here gossiping with you just as long as I 1 can I 1 must be spreading the glad news that mistress spring is coming ill help you said peter happily and made ready to start right away for the green forest E T W burgess ser service vice |