"Yes, of course," said Hazel. "Until we get overcrowded again, if we ever do. But we don't have to think about that for a long time. Fiver and Blackberry are right. Let Flyairth go."
Later that day, Flyairth left the Down by herself, saying that she was off to find a suitably safe place for a new warren. She had not asked anyone to come with her.
She was gone for three days. When she returned, she told Hazel that she had found a much safer and more secluded place. She asked him to come with her to look at it. Hazel replied, quite amiably, that going to a new warren formed no part of his plans for the moment, but she was free to invite anyone else she wished.
However, she did not make a second reconnaissance, but the next day set off with a considerable number of the younger rabbits, whom she had convinced that they were in danger where they were. She was not, she said, coming back.
The weather continued to improve, and there were more warm days. One fine evening Hazel and a number of his friends, including Hyzenthlay, Vilthuril and Thethuthinnang, were lying peacefully in the sun.
"I wonder how Flyairth and her lot are getting on," said Holly. "And for the matter of that, where they are."
"Kehaar'll be back any day now," said Bigwig. "He'll find out where they've gone and how Flyairth's getting on as Chief Rabbit."
"Well enough, I should imagine," said Dandelion. "You know, I couldn't help liking her. She was most amusing to talk to and had a lot of good ideas."
"She saved my life," said Hazel, "but she never boasted about it to anyone."
"I'd imagine she'd be a very good Chief Rabbit," said Silver, "as long as she had a male partner to--well, you know--to balance her when she needed it."
"I like the idea of a female Chief Rabbit," said Hazel. "Seriously, I think we ought to have one. Hyzenthlay, how would you like to take it on?"
"I wish you would," said Blackavar. "I think all of us would be only too pleased."
Hyzenthlay was about to decline with a joke, when, glancing round, she realized that they were all looking at her expectantly, full of support for what Hazel had proposed.
"Tell us you will," said Fiver.
"Well, if Hazel will stay on with me, I will," she answered. "And I promise--"
"Yes? Yes?" said three or four of them together.
"I promise to be the biggest n
uisance he's ever met in his life, and to disagree with him about everything!"
"I feel more lighthearted already," said Hazel, touching his nose to hers.
When the news spread through the warren, there was not a dissentient voice. Everyone, even Bigwig, had confidence in Hyzenthlay, particularly those Efrafan does who had not left with Flyairth.
*
Spring was fine and dry, and summer came in, full of promise and ease. One beautiful afternoon, as Bluebell, Hawkbit and three or four others were at silflay on the Down, a stranger rabbit, looking distinctly tired, came lolloping up to them over the grass.
"I've been sent with a message from Efrafa," he said. "Can you take me to your Chief Rabbit?"
"Certainly," replied Bluebell. "Male or female? We cater for all tastes here, you know."
16
Hyzenthlay in Action
By any reasonable plan
I'll make you happy, if I can;
My own convenience count as nil;
It is my duty, and I will.