PETER.--I’ll be sure there are no more thorns here, before I set down; Pretty well of one thorn at a time, Master Zedekiah Brown! There, now, I think this seat is safe and easy--so now you must know I was fast asleep at breakfast time; and you’ll always find it so, That if you begin a day ill, it will be ill all the day. Well, when I woke, the breakfast-things were clattering all away: And I know they had eggs and fowl, and all sort of good things; But then none may partake who are in bed when the morning bell rings; So, sadly vexed as I was, I rolled myself round in bed, And, “as breakfast is over, I’ll not hurry myself,” I said, So I just got into a nice little doze, when in came my mother; And “for shame, Peter,” she said, “to be a-bed now! well, you can’t go with your brother!” Then out of the door she went, without another word; And just then a sound of wheels, and of pawing horses’ hoofs I heard; So I jumped up to the window to see what it was, and I declare There was a grand party of fine folks setting off somewhere: There was my brother, mounted on the pony so sleek and brown; And Bell in her white frock, and my mother in her satin gown; And my father in his best, and two gentlemen beside; And I had never heard a word about it, either of drive or ride! I really think it was very queer of them to set off in that way-- If I’d only known over-night, I’d have been up by break of day! As you may think, I was sadly vexed, but I did not choose to show it, So I whistled as I came down stairs, that the servants might not know it; Then I went into the yard, and called the dog by his name, For I thought if they were gone, he and I might have a good game; But I called and called, and there was no dog either in this place or th’ other; And Thomas said, “Master Peter, Neptune’s gone with your brother.” Well, as there was no dog, I went to look for the fox, And sure enough the chain was broke, and there was no creature in the box; But where the fellow had gone nobody could say, He had broken loose himself, I suppose, and so had slipped away; I would give anything I have but to find the fox again-- And was it not provoking, Zedekiah, to lose him just then? ZEDEKIAH.--Provoking enough! Well, Peter, and what happened next?