But the hawk's attack was so abrupt and violent as to be upsetting to the nerves of the whole village.
"When the hawk had finished his meal and wiped his beak on the hard earth he flew off; and long before he was out of sight all the furry householders were out on top of their hillocks and chattering at the tops of their voices about the affair.

The Little Villager himself, having been first to give the alarm, was particularly excited and important.

But even he managed to calm himself down after a while.
And then, feeling hungry from excess of emotion, he descended from his hillock and fell to nibbling grass stems.
"He had been but a few minutes at this engrossing occupation when from the door of a nearby burrow popped suddenly a small brown owl.

The bird appeared with a haste which seemed to ruffle its dignity considerably.

It was followed at once by its mate.