and the first thing Jerry
knew, instead of being enemies, as Jerry had all along made up his mind
would be the case when he found the builder of the dam, here they were
becoming the best of friends, all because Paddy the Beaver had said the
right thing in the right way.

"But you haven't told me yet what you made those holes in my dam for,
Cousin Jerry," said Paddy the Beaver finally.

Jerry didn't know just what to say. He was so pleased with his big new
cousin that he didn't want to hurt his feelings by telling him that he
didn't think that dam had any business to be across the Laughing Brook,
and at the same time he wanted Paddy to know how he had spoiled the
Laughing Brook and the Smiling Pool. At last he made up his mind to tell
the whole story.

CHAPTER XXIII: Paddy The Beaver Does A Kind Deed

Paddy the Beaver listened to all that his small cousin, Jerry Muskrat,
had to tell him about the trouble which Paddy's dam had caused in the
Laughing Brook and the Smiling Pool.

"You see, we who live in the Smiling Pool love it dearly, and we don't
want to have to leave it, but if the water cannot run down the Laughing
Brook, there can be no Smiling Pool, and so we will have to move off to
the Big River," concluded Jerry Muskrat. "That is why I tried to spoil
your dam."

There was a twinkle in the eyes of Paddy the Beaver as he replied:
"Well, now that you have found out that you can't do that, because I am
bigger than you and can stop you, what are you going to do about it?"

"I don't know," said Jerry Muskrat sadly. "I don't see what we can
do about it. Of course you are big and strong and can do just as you
please, but it doesn't seem right that we who have lived here so long
should have to move and go away from all that we love so just because
you, a stranger, happen to want to live here. I tell you what!" Jerry's
eyes sparkled as a brand new thought came to him. "Couldn't you come
down and live in the Smiling Pool with us? I'm sure there is room
enough!"

Paddy the Beaver shook his head. "No," said he, and Jerry's heart sank.
"No, I can't do that because down there there isn't any of the kind of
food I eat. Besides, I wouldn't feel at all safe in the Smiling Pool.
You see, I always live in the woods. No, I couldn't possibly come down
to live in the Smiling Pool. But I'm truly sorry that I have made you so
much worry, Cousin Jerry, and I'm going to prove it to you. Now you sit
right here until I come back