The Tale of Billy Woodchuck Part 5

After a while he began to wish that old Spot would come along--or a skunk or a fox. For it seemed as if Uncle Jerry never would wake up again.

Billy wouldn't have minded quite so much, if Uncle Jerry hadn't snored. But, of course, that made it much harder to listen.

At last Uncle Jerry Chuck opened his eyes and slowly rose to his feet and stretched himself.

"You've done very well, for a beginner," he told Billy. "Come back here to-morrow at the same hour and I'll try you again."

Now, Billy Woodchuck had done enough listening to last him for a long time. But he didn't know just how to tell that to Uncle Jerry. And almost before he knew it he found himself saying:

"Yes, sir!"

XI

BILLY ASKS FOR PAY

The next day, at the same hour, Uncle Jerry Chuck went to the big rock. This time he was looking forward to even a longer nap in the sun than he had had the day before. If Billy Woodchuck was willing to listen, without pay, Uncle Jerry was more than willing to let him.

Billy Woodchuck was somewhat late. But he arrived at last.

"You must be more prompt," Uncle Jerry told him, severely. "I have no time to waste waiting for a young chap like you. When I'm good enough to let you do my listening, it seems to me you ought to be on time," he grumbled. That is often the way with people who get things for nothing. They are very likely to find fault.

Now, Billy Woodchuck had been doing some thinking since the day before. And while Uncle Jerry was hunting for a soft spot on the big rock, where he could lie, Billy suddenly surprised him by saying:

"Don't you think you ought to pay me for listening for you, Uncle Jerry?"

Uncle Jerry grunted. He was not at all pleased.

"This is not a good time to speak of _pay_," he said. "I am so sleepy that I can hardly keep my eyes open. However, I'll see what I can do for you--after I've had my nap."

And then he fell asleep, and snored ever so much louder than he had the previous day. He slept longer, too. And by the time he awakened, Billy Woodchuck was quite worn out, and ready to fall asleep himself.

This time Uncle Jerry did not wait to stretch himself. As soon as he opened his eyes he leapt to his feet and started off.

"Meet me here to-morrow at the same hour," he ordered.

"But you haven't paid me for to-day!" Billy Woodchuck cried.

Uncle Jerry stopped.

"I declare, I'd forgotten all about that," he said. "I'll tell you what I'll do.... You know, turn about is fair play. So if you want to take a nap, you can lie right down here and take it. And I'll do more for you than you did for me. I'll keep track of the time. And when the sun gets over the big elm by the brook, I'll wake you up."

Billy Woodchuck agreed. And as soon as he was fast asleep Uncle Jerry left him. You see, old Uncle Jerry Chuck was a sly old gentleman. He had said nothing at all about listening for danger.

So Billy Woodchuck slept on.

If the Great Horned Owl had happened along then, he could have caught Billy without any trouble.

But it was not Mr. Owl who pa.s.sed that way, before the sun climbed above the big elm. Though some one did spy Billy, as he lay there sleeping.

Who do you suppose it was?

XII

WHAT JIMMY RABBIT SAW

It was Jimmy Rabbit who came along and caught sight of Billy Woodchuck, sound asleep on top of the big rock.

Jimmy was surprised. It seemed to him that it was a very careless thing to do. And while he was wondering whether he would just waken Billy, or play some trick on him, he saw Uncle Jerry Chuck come puffing up the hill and go to Billy and give him a good, hard shake.

Billy Woodchuck at once jumped up, rubbing his eyes to get the sleep out of them. And Uncle Jerry started to waddle down the hill.

But before he had gone far he turned around; and Jimmy Rabbit heard him call:

"Remember! To-morrow at the same hour!"

Jimmy wondered what he meant. He waited till Uncle Jerry was out of sight and then he stepped out from behind the blackberry bush where he was hiding and hopped over to the big rock.

"h.e.l.lo, Billy!" he said. "What's going on to-morrow?"

"I listen, while Uncle Jerry sleeps," Billy explained. "And then, after he's had his nap, I sleep while he listens."

"Oh, ho!" said Jimmy Rabbit. "And _where_ does he listen--if I may be so bold as to ask?" So long as he put his questions like that, Jimmy Rabbit always seemed to think that he could ask anyone anything he wanted to.

"Why, he listens _here_," said Billy.

"What makes you think so? Did he say he would?"

"Yes--er--n-no! He said he would wake me up at this time," said Billy. "But, of course, he was right here all the while."

"Of course he was _not_!" said Jimmy. "When I first came along, you were all alone. And pretty soon I saw Uncle Jerry come up the hill and shake you. I tell you, it's lucky for you nothing happened, while you were taking your nap."

Billy Woodchuck saw that he had been tricked. And he was very angry. He was so angry that he wanted to run straight down to Uncle Jerry's house and tell him just what he thought about him.

But Jimmy Rabbit said "No!" He knew something better to do than that. "Let's see----" he said. "Didn't I hear Uncle Jerry mention something about 'to-morrow at the same hour'?" he asked.

"Y-y-e-s-s!" Billy Woodchuck was so angry that his teeth were chattering and clattering; and he found it very hard to talk.

"Well, then--you just lie low until to-morrow. Meet him here. Let him fall asleep. And then we'll teach him a good lesson."

Billy liked that idea. He liked it so well that he could hardly wait for to-morrow to come.