When We Last Saw Our Heroine...

...there was a hint of trouble coming down the lane.

"Are you one of those mean cats that beats up my best friend Betsy?" Maisie asked.

"We hate Betsy!" Claire Bear growled.

"Betsy told me if I ever saw you that I was sposed to run away!"

"Real fast!"

"It's a good thing I'm a really fast runner!"

"Boing! Boing! Boing!"

"I can run so fast my ears bend backwards!

"Wheeeee!"

"Did you see how fast I ran, Momma?"

"Now I think I'll just have a little taste of this grass here."

"Ha ha! Just kidding!"

"Wheeee!"

"Boing! Boing! Boing!"

"Left turn!"

"Here I come!"

"Wheeeee!"