So Bunny sat down under the maple tree to wait for Mrs. Duck.

He waited and waited.

It was very warm in the field.

After a while Bunny shut his eyes and he fell fast asleep.

He slept such a long time that when he opened his eyes the sun was just going to bed.

“Well, well!” he said.  “Mrs. Duck must have gone long ago.”

Just then he saw Sammy Red Squirrel.

“Have you seen Mrs. Duck to-day?” he asked.

“Oh, yes!” answered Sammy.  “She walked along the path early this afternoon.”

The next day Bunny sat down under the maple tree to watch again.

But this time he was not alone.

He had asked Billy to come with him.

“If you are with me, I shall not to sleep,” he said.

So the two little rabbits sat down to wait for Mrs. Duck.

They waited and waited.

It was very warm in the field.  After a while Bunny shut his eyes. 
Then Billy shut his eyes, and they both fell fast asleep.

They slept such a long time that when they opened their eyes the sun was just going to bed.

Bobby Squirrel was sitting in the maple tree over their heads.

“Have you seen Mrs. Duck?” asked Bunny.

“Oh, yes!” answered Bobby.  “She walked along the path early this afternoon.”

“Well, well!” said Bunny.  “I will try again to-morrow.  I will ask Bobtail to come with me.  Perhaps he can keep awake.”

II

The next day the three little rabbits sat under the maple tree to watch for Mrs. Duck.

They waited and waited.

It was very warm in the field.

After a while the three little rabbits became sleepy.

Then Bobtail jumped up on his feet and began to hop around.

“Let’s play tag,” he said.  “If we sit here in the sun we shall go to sleep.

“Then we shall not see Mrs. Duck when she walks along the path.”

So the three rabbits played tag.

They ran round and round the maple tree.  They ran back and forth along the little path.

All at once Bunny heard Mrs. Duck coming across the field.

She was going to the barn.

“Good-morning, Mrs. Duck,” said Bunny.

“Where are you going this fine morning?”

“Quack, quack!” said Mrs. Duck, “I am going to the barn.”

“Where have you been?” asked Billy.

“Quack, quack!” said Mrs. Duck.  “That is a secret.  I can not tell you.”

Then Mrs. Duck walked quickly along the little path and across the road.

She went into the barn-yard and hunted around for something to eat.

She talked to the other ducks and hens.  But she did not tell them her secret.

When she had eaten all she wanted she went out of the yard and across the road.

Then she walked back again along the path across the field.