One always stayed with them while the other went away to hunt trout or muskrat." "Why, what _could_ get at them in there ?" interrupted the Babe.
"You see," explained Uncle Andy graciously, "either a fox or a weasel _might_ come in by the back door--if they were hungry enough to take the risk.

Or what was much more likely, that slim, black, murderous robber, the mink, might come swimming in by the front entrance, pop his narrow, cruel head above the water, see the youngsters alone, and be at their throats in a twinkling.

The old otters, who were very devoted parents, were not running any risks like that, I can tell you." "I guess not!" agreed the Babe, wagging his head wisely.
"Well," went on Uncle Andy, "just _because_ those level-headed old otters were always ready for it, nothing happened.

You'd better make a note of that.

If you are always ready for trouble when the other fellow makes it, he will be pretty shy about beginning.