Adventures of Puss in Boots, Jr.

<h2><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</SPAN></span> <SPAN name="wedding3" id="wedding3"></SPAN>THE GUESTS ARRIVE SAFELY AT THE WEDDING</h2> <p class="cap2">PUSS, JR., continued on his way with his small comrades, the squirrel, the old bullfrog, the chipmunk, the muskrat, the beaver (who had joined them without being asked after they had paid him for crossing his dam), and the timid little rabbit. Presently they saw in the distance the wedding procession of Cock Robin and Jenny Wren.</p> <div class="block22"> <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">And first came Parson Rook,<br/></span> <span class="i2">With his spectacles and band,<br/></span> <span class="i0">And one of Mother Hubbard's books<br/></span> <span class="i2">He held within his hand.<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">The Sparrow and the Tomtit,<br/></span> <span class="i2">And many more, were there.<br/></span> <span class="i0">All came to see the wedding<br/></span> <span class="i2">Of Jenny Wren, the fair.<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Then followed him the Lark,<br/></span> <span class="i2">For he could sweetly sing,<br/></span> <span class="i0">And he was to be the clerk<br/></span> <span class="i2">At Cock Robin's wedding.<br/></span> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</SPAN></span></div> </div></div> <p>"Let us make haste," cried Puss, Jr., "or we shall be late."</p> <p>"Please don't go so fast," begged the old bullfrog. "I'm a very poor walker."</p> <p>"Here, climb up on my back," said the squirrel. "You can lean against my tail. It will keep you from falling off."</p> <p>This helped matters a great deal, and our little friends moved forward at a good pace. The old bullfrog was also much relieved. He was pretty tired and every once in a while gasped for breath. He was not too weary, however, to catch several flies on the way, and he winked quite solemnly at Puss, who grinned in return. As they neared the wedding procession they heard the lark singing.</p> <div class="block22"> <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">He sang of Robin's love<br/></span> <span class="i2">For little Jenny Wren;<br/></span> <span class="i0">And when he came unto the end,<br/></span> <span class="i2">Then he began again.<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">The Goldfinch came on next,<br/></span> <span class="i2">To give away the bride;<br/></span> <span class="i0">The Linnet, being bridesmaid,<br/></span> <span class="i2">Walked by Jenny's side;<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">And as she was a-walking,<br/></span> <span class="i2">Said, "Upon my word,<br/></span> <span class="i0">I think that your Cock Robin<br/></span> <span class="i2">Is a very pretty bird."<br/></span></div> </div></div> <p>"I think he is," whispered Puss, Jr., to the squirrel.</p> <p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</SPAN></span>"So do I," said the chipmunk.</p> <p>"Ker-chunk," said the old bullfrog, "he has a fine red vest. I always like white waistcoats, though," he added, looking down at his own; "but then, you know, everybody doesn't like the same thing."</p> <hr /> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />