`` I am a little warm , '' replied Mr. Toad in his most polite manner , although he could n't help panting for breath as he said it . `` I hope you are feeling as well as you are looking , Mr. Bear . '' -LSB- Illustration : `` I am a little warm , '' replied Mr. Toad in his most polite manner . -RSB- Buster Bear laughed a great , grumbly-rumbly laugh . `` I always feel fine when there is a dinner of fat ants ready for me , '' said he . `` It is fine of you to honor me by coming to dine . '' Here Mr. Toad put one hand on his stomach and tried to make a very grand bow . Peter Rabbit , hiding behind a near-by tree , almost giggled aloud , he looked so funny . `` I have ventured to invite another to enjoy the dinner with us , '' continued Buster Bear . Mr. Toad 's face fell . You see he was selfish . He wanted to be the only one to have the honor of dining with Buster Bear . `` He 's a little late , '' went on Buster , `` but I think he will be here soon , and I hope you will be glad to meet him . Ah , there he comes now ! '' Old Mr. Toad looked in the direction in which Buster Bear was looking . He gave a little gasp and turned quite pale . All his puffiness disappeared . He did n't look like the same Toad at all . The newcomer was Mr. Blacksnake . `` Oh ! ''
cried Old Mr. Toad , and then , without even asking to be excused , he turned his back on Buster Bear and started back the way he had come , XXXXX long , frightened hops .
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