Though Benny Badger never cared much for foxes, he was willing, usually, to stop and talk with one of that family—provided he wasn\'t too busy digging to take the time for gossip.

There was one fox who often strolled about the neighborhood. And though Benny had many a chat with this gentleman, somehow Benny never learned much from him.

He was so sly that he let Benny do most of the talking, while he listened. And when he did say anything, he preferred to ask questions.[52]

In time Benny Badger noticed that his chats with Mr. Fox were very one-sided. And he made up his mind at last that when he next met that crafty fellow he would ask him plenty of questions. He would make him talk, or he would know the reason why.

It happened that early on the following morning, when he was hunting for Ground Squirrel\'s holes, he found himself face to face with Mr. Fox. And Benny noticed that Mr. Fox was himself looking with great interest at a fresh Ground Squirrel\'s hole. "Hullo!" Benny Badger exclaimed. "I hope you haven\'t come here after Ground Squirrels."

Mr. Fox looked much surprised.

"No, indeed!" he said. "I\'m only hunting for birds\' eggs."

"Birds\' eggs!" Benny Badger repeated. "Have you found any?"[53]

Mr. Fox squirmed a bit. He did not like to answer questions.

"Have you found any eggs?" Benny asked him again.

"A few!" Mr. Fox replied.

"Where?" Benny inquired.

"Oh, in different places," said Mr. Fox. And he............