Instead of answering , Jimmy Skunk began to laugh . `` Who 's a bug ? '' demanded Old Mr. Toad , more crossly than before . `` There is n't any bug , Mr. Toad , and I beg your pardon , '' replied Jimmy , remembering his politeness . `` I just thought there was . You see , I did n't know you were under that piece of bark . I hope you will excuse me , Mr. Toad . Have you seen any fat beetles this morning ? '' `` No , '' said Old Mr. Toad grumpily , and yawned and rubbed his eyes . `` Why , '' exclaimed Jimmy Skunk , `` I believe you have just waked up ! '' `` What if I have ? '' demanded Old Mr. Toad . `` Oh , nothing , nothing at all , Mr. Toad , '' replied Jimmy Skunk , `` only you are the second one I 've met this morning who had just waked up . '' `` Who was the other ? '' asked Old Mr. Toad . `` Mr. Blacksnake , '' replied Jimmy . `` He inquired for you . '' Old Mr. Toad turned quite pale . `` I -- I think I 'll be moving along , '' said he . XVII OLD MR. TOAD 'S MISTAKE If is a very little word to look at , but the biggest word you have ever seen does n't begin to have so much meaning as little `` if . ''
If Jimmy XXXXX had n't ambled down the Crooked Little Path just when he did ; if he had n't been looking for fat beetles ; if he had n't seen that big piece of bark at one side and decided to pull it over ; if it had n't been for all these `` ifs , '' why Old Mr. Toad would n't have made the mistake he did , and you would n't have had this story .
Blacksnake Jimmy Mr. Skunk Toad XVII bug morning pardon second