CAT. They have gone to the fair. Mrs. McGregor joins them too. Do you know this old lady? She can bake cakes well. I prefer her rabbit pies.

PETER. I have no time to chatter to you, lady. Can you tell me the way to the onion bed?

CAT. With pleasure, sir! Go straight on, then turn to the left and take the second turning to the right.

PETER. Thanks. I’m glad to have met you. Bye! I’m too busy.

CAT. Are you leaving? You can’t leave! Master, master! He’s come. He is over there! Catch him!

MR. MCGREGOR. Who? Where? What’s the matter? Who is making noise? (Takes a stick and began beating poor Peter). Let me watch you better! Are you a relative of the rabbit who came here a year ago? Did you come to eat my cabbage either?

PETER. It’s lettuce. Your cabbage is small and insipid.

MR.MCGREGOR. My cabbages are the best in the area and not only! Every year I win prizes at the fairs!

PETER. In my opinion the lettuce is better. I can’t say anything about your onions, sir. I haven’t tasted them.

MR.MCGREGOR. I suppose I’ll taste you with onions soon! (Catches Peter’s jacket but he jumps out of the jacket and off he goes).

Peter meets his mother.

MOTHER. I wonder where your new jacket is saying nothing of a pair of new boots?

PETER. They are at Mr. McGregor’s garden.

MOTHER. I think you wouldn’t have a tasty bun today. Herb tea will be enough. Have tea and go to bed!

SCENE III

SETTING. A fence at the McGregor’s garden.

PETER. I look funny in this red handkerchief, don’t I?

TOPSY. Never mind. We’ll get back your clothes soon.

MOPSY. Who is that terrible guard in front of us? He is standing just behind the fence and waves his hand so fearfully.

PETER. It’s McGregor’s scarecrow. It is wearing my jacket and boots. Take the stick, the strong stick and beat the scarecrow!

TOPSY(beats the scarecrow and laughs). It’s great.

Peter’s jacket and boots are falling down. The noise awakes Cat and she appears.

MOPSY. Who is that smart lady over there? She is looking at us? Shall I tell her good morning?

PETER. Never talk to the cat. They always lie and can fool you. How do you do, madam?

CAT. How do you do, a piece of pie? Mr. McGregor is over here. I can call him if you want.

PETER. As far as I know your master has left for the fair. An hour ago we saw him doing in a carriage. Do you always lie or only sometimes?

TOPSY. Beat the cats!

All rabbits take the sticks and drive Cat into the hut for tools. Then Peter locks the door.

PETER. Let’s look for the onions. We should bring some home.

MOPSY. I would like to pick up some cabbages. They seem to be tasty.

PETER. Certainly. It’s the best cabbage in the area. Every year McGregor wins the prizes at the fair.