It was like that every day. The farther we got,
the worse it became. Our flock grew smaller and smaller. Those who
escaped the terrible guns would be so frightened that they would
forget to follow their leader and would fly in different directions
and later perhaps join other flocks. So it was that when at last we
reached the place in the sunny Southland for which we had started,
Mr. Quack and I were alone. What became of our twelve children I
don't know. I am afraid the terrible guns killed some. I hope some
joined other flocks and escaped, but I don't know."
"I hope they did too," said Peter.
V
PETER LEARNS MORE OF MRS. QUACK'S TROUBLES
It often happens when we know The troubles that our friends
pass through, Our own seem very small indeed; You'll
always find that this is true.
"My, you must have felt glad when you reached your winter home!"
exclaimed Peter Rabbit when Mrs. Quack finished the account of her
long, terrible journey from her summer home in the far Northland
to her winter home in the far Southland.
"I did," replied Mrs. Quack, "but all the time I couldn't forget
those to whom terrible things had happened on the way down, and
then, too, I kept dreading the long journey back."
"I don't see why you didn't stay right there. I would have," said
Peter, nodding his head with an air of great wisdom.
"Not if you were I," replied Mrs. Quack. "In the first place it
isn't a proper place in which to bring up young Ducks and make them
strong and healthy.
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