Just imagine the relief that was his when he saw that the gate was open . In that very instant the snowy outside world became more beautiful and wonderful than ever it had been in all his life before . He was free ! free ! free ! If ever there was a surprised boy , that boy was Farmer Brown 's as he watched Reddy twist around a corner of the barn and disappear . `` Reddy Fox ! '' he exclaimed . `` Now how under the sun did that rascal get in here ? '' Then , as he realized that Reddy had actually been inside the henhouse , anxiety for the biddies swept over him . Hastily he turned , fully expecting to see either the bodies of two or three hens on the floor , or scattered feathers to show that Reddy had enjoyed a midnight feast . There were no feathers , and so far as he could see , all the hens were standing or walking about . At once Farmer Brown 's boy began to count them . Of course , he knew exactly how many there should be . When he got through counting , not one was missing . Farmer Brown 's boy was puzzled . He counted them again . Then he counted them a third time . He began to think there must be something wrong with his counting . After the fourth count , however , he was forced to believe that not a single one was missing .
If Reddy XXXXX had been relieved when he discovered that henyard gate open , Farmer Brown 's boy was equally relieved when he found that not a single biddie had been taken .
Brown Fox Reddy corner fourth henhouse hens midnight something third