again in such haste that he often tumbled head over heels down his little hole. Brier liked this busy one, for he sang as he worked, and had a very pleasant expression of countenance. As he paused to settle a large grain of yellow sand on the top of the mound, as an ornament to the front door, Brier said: "Mr. Emmet, why are you in such haste? and why do you never stop to rest or talk with your neighbors?"
The ant made her a little bow, and answered, gayly: "I am about to be married, and wish to get my house in fine order as soon as I can; therefore I work with all my might, and sing meanwhile, for I am the happiest fellow in all the town, and shall have a grand wedding to-morrow. Ha! ha! Come and see us then, if you will."
With that he gave a little skip for joy, lost his footing, and rolled down the mound, laughing as he went, till he fell against a big black ant, who was walking by in a very stately manner. When the red ant came tumbling over his back, he grew dreadfully angry, and cried out in a rough voice: "What! what! is this the way you play tricks on respectable persons, you unmannerly mite? Wait a bit, and see what comes of such pranks."
"Indeed, indeed, sir, it was only an accident, and upon my word it shall never happen again," began the red ant, very humbly, as he gathered himself up with a great many bows.
But the black ant was in such a towering rage he would not listen, nor understand, but fell upon poor little Mr. Emmet, and beat and bit and dragged him here and there most unmercifully. Brier besought him to let go, and all the ant people came running to see, but dared not help, because the black ant was far bigger and
