Ribby in the meantime had received Duchess’s answer, and as soon as she was sure that the little dog could come—­she popped her pie into the oven.  There were two ovens, one above the other; some other knobs and handles were only ornamental and not intended to open.  Ribby put the pie into the lower oven; the door was very stiff.

“The top oven bakes too quickly,” said Ribby to herself.  “It is a pie of the most delicate and tender mouse minced up with bacon.  And I have taken out all the bones; because Duchess did nearly choke herself with a fish-bone last time I gave a party.  She eats a little fast—­rather big mouthfuls.  But a most genteel and elegant little dog; infinitely superior company to Cousin Tabitha Twitchit.”

[Illustration:  THE PIE MADE OF MOUSE]

Ribby put on some coal and swept up the hearth.  Then she went out with a can to the well, for water to fill up the kettle.

Then she began to set the room in order, for it was the sitting-room as well as the kitchen.  She shook the mats out at the front-door and put them straight; the hearthrug was a rabbit-skin.  She dusted the clock and the ornaments on the mantelpiece, and she polished and rubbed the tables and chairs.

Then she spread a very clean white table-cloth, and set out her best china tea-set, which she took out of a wall-cupboard near the fireplace.  The tea-cups were white with a pattern of pink roses; and the dinner-plates were white and blue.

[Illustration]

When Ribby had laid the table she took a jug and a blue and white dish, and went out down the field to the farm, to fetch milk and butter.

When she came back, she peeped into the bottom oven; the pie looked very comfortable.

Ribby put on her shawl and bonnet and went out again with a basket, to the village shop to buy a packet of tea, a pound of lump sugar, and a pot of marmalade.

And just at the same time, Duchess came out of her house, at the other end of the village.

[Illustration:  THE VEAL AND HAM PIE]

Ribby met Duchess half-way down the street, also carrying a basket, covered with a cloth.  They only bowed to one another; they did not speak, because they were going to have a party.

As soon as Duchess had got round the corner out of sight—­she simply ran!  Straight away to Ribby’s house!

[Illustration]

Ribby went into the shop and bought what she required, and came out, after a pleasant gossip with Cousin Tabitha Twitchit.

[Illustration]

Cousin Tabitha was disdainful afterwards in conversation—­

“A little dog indeed!  Just as if there were no CATS in Sawrey!  And a pie for afternoon tea!  The very idea!” said Cousin Tabitha Twitchit.

Ribby went on to Timothy Baker’s and bought the muffins.  Then she went home.

There seemed to be a sort of scuffling noise in the back passage, as she was coming in at the front door.