MISS MOUSE (shaking head).  But mother said—­

CAT (interrupting).  ’T is most important!

MISS MOUSE (as before).  But mother said—­

CAT (interrupting).  I wish your advice—­you are so clever!

MISS MOUSE (showing she is pleased; starting to window).  Oh, do you truly think so?

CAT (nodding).  Every one thinks so!

MISS MOUSE (showing she is more pleased; going to the window).  Oh, do they, truly?

CAT.  Oh, truly they do!

MISS MOUSE (showing she is most pleased; opening window).  What else nice say they?

CAT (jumping in).  That I’ll tell you by and by.

(Sniffing about.)

There must be a grease-pot about!  Am I not right?

MISS MOUSE.  Mother said—­

[Illustration:  THE CAT AND THE MOUSE]

CAT (interrupting).  Only tell me if I be right!  ’T will do no harm!

MISS MOUSE (hesitating).  Well—­then—­yes.  But ’t is put away for our winter stores.

CAT (nodding).  Just so!  Now, I can’t decide where to keep my grease-pot when I have bought one.  Won’t you give me your advice?  You are so wise.

MISS MOUSE.  Do you truly think I’m wise?

CAT (nodding).  Aye, and if you will tell me where to keep my grease-pot when I have bought it, I’ll tell you something more.

MISS MOUSE (greatly pleased).  About me?

CAT (nodding).  Yes,—­what every one says about your being so beautiful. 
But first I must know where to keep my grease-pot.

MISS MOUSE.  Then listen—­you must keep it, when you have bought it, in the northwest corner.

[The Cat runs quickly to the northwest corner.]

MISS MOUSE (in alarm).  Come away!  Come away!

CAT.  Why, here is your grease-pot!

MISS MOUSE (as before).  Come away, I say!

CAT (looking into the pot).  Truly, the fat is kept hard and cool here.

MISS MOUSE.  I pray you come away!  Mother does not so much as let me look into it.  ’T is not yet time, she says.

CAT (looking again into pot).  Exactly!

(She leaves the pot and joins Miss Mouse.)

’T is just what I’ll tell my kittens about my grease-pot when I have bought it.

MISS MOUSE.  Ah, then you have kittens at home?

CAT (nodding).  Such beautiful kittens!  The eldest is white, with brown marks.

MISS MOUSE.  He must be charming!

CAT.  I’ve a mind to tell you his name.  First, though, run out to see if your dear mother is not coming.

[Miss Mouse nods and runs out.  The Cat quickly creeps to the grease-pot and licks the top off.  She crosses to the window just as MISS MOUSE returns.]

MISS MOUSE.  Mother is nowhere to be seen.  Now what did you name your eldest child?