He had n't seen any little Toads this year , but he remembered his experiences with them in other years , and he meant to ask about them . Old Mr. Toad was sitting in his usual place , but he was n't singing . He was staring at something in the water . When Peter said `` Good morning , '' Old Mr. Toad did n't seem to hear him . He was too much interested in what he was watching . Peter stared down into the water to see what was interesting Old Mr. Toad so much , but he saw nothing but a lot of wriggling tadpoles . `` What are you staring at so , Mr. Sobersides ? '' asked Peter , speaking a little louder than before . Old Mr. Toad turned and looked at Peter , and there was a look of great pride in his face . `` I 'm just watching my babies . Are n't they lovely ? '' said he . Peter stared harder than ever , but he could n't see anything that looked like a baby Toad . `` Where are they ? '' asked he . `` I do n't see any babies but those of Grandfather Frog , and if you ask me , I always did think tadpoles about the homeliest things in th ' world . '' Old Mr. Toad grew indignant . `` Those are not Grandfather Frog 's children ; they 're mine ! '' he sputtered . `` And I 'll have you know that they are the most beautiful babies in th ' world ! ''
Peter drew a hand across his mouth XXXXX hide a smile .
about at if in into like of than to with