Poor Mrs. Quack in "Mrs. Quack Tells About Her Home"

First we had twelve eggs, and then twelve of the dearest babies you ever saw." "Maybe," said Ryder doubtfully, thinking of his own babies.
"They grew so fast that by the time the cold weather came, they were as big as their father and mother," continued Mrs. Quack. "And they were smart, too. They had learned how to take care of themselves just as well as I could. I certainly was proud of that family. But now I don't know where one of them is."
Mrs. Quack suddenly choked up with grief, and Ryder Rabbit politely turned his head away.