But anyway, he had been told about it, and he made up his mind that
the next time Granny said anything sharp to him about his carelessness
he would have something to say back. Yes, Sir, Reddy Fox was
deliberately planning to answer back, which, as you know, is always
disrespectful to one's elders.
At last the chance came. Reddy did a thing no truly wise Fox ever
will do. He went two nights in succession to the same henhouse, and
the second time he barely escaped being shot. Old Granny Fox found
out about it. How she found out Reddy doesn't know to this day, but
find out she did, and she gave him such a scolding as even her sharp
tongue had seldom given him.
"You are the stupidest Fox I ever heard of," scolded Granny.
"I'm no more stupid than you are!" retorted Reddy in the most
impudent way.
"What's that?" demanded Granny. "What's that you said?"
"I said I'm no more stupid than you are, and what is more, I hope I'm
not so stupid. I know better than to take a nap in broad daylight
right under the very nose of Farmer Brown's boy." Reddy grinned in
the most impudent way as he said this.
Granny's eyes snapped. Then things happened. Reddy was cuffed this
way and cuffed that way and cuffed the other way until it seemed to
him that the air was full of black paws, every one of which landed
on his head or face with a sting that made him whimper and put his
tail between his legs, and finally howl.
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