INTRODUCTION
Duringaremarkablyseverewinter，whenaprodigiousfallofsnowconfinedeverybodytotheirhabitations，whowerehappyenoughtohaveonetoshelterthemfromtheinclemencyoftheseason，andwerehotobligedbybusinesstoexposethemselvestoitsrigour，I
wasonavisittoMeadowHall；wherehadassembledlikewisealargepartyofyoungfolk，whoallseemed，bytheirharmonyandgoodhumour，tostrivewhoshouldthemostcontributetorenderpleasantthatconfinementwhichwewereallequallyobligedtoshare。Norwerethosefurtheradvancedinlifelessanxioustocontributetothegeneralsatisfactionandentertainment。
Afterthemoreseriousemploymentofreadingeachmorningwasconcluded，wedanced，wesung，weplayedatblind—man’s—buff，battledoreandshuttlecock，andmanyothergamesequallydivertingandinnocent；andwhentiredofthem，drewourseatsroundthefire，whileeachoneinturntoldsomemerrystorytodivertthecompany。
Atlast，afterhavingrelatedallthatwecouldrecollectworthreciting，andbeingratheratalosswhattosaynext，asprightlygirlincompanyproposedthateveryoneshouldrelatethehistoryoftheirownlives；’anditmustbestrangeindeed，’addedshe，’ifthatwillnothelpusoutofthisdifficulty，andfurnishconversationforsomedayslonger；andbythattime，perhaps，thefrostwillbreak，thesnowwillmelt，andsetusallatliberty。
Butletitbreakwhenitwill，Imakealaw，thatnooneshallgofromMeadowHalltilltheyhavetoldtheirownhistory：sotakenotice，ladiesandgentlemen，takenotice，everybody，whatyouhavetotrustto。Andbecause，’continuedshe，’Iwillnotbeunreasonable，andrequiremorefromyouthanyoucanperform，I
willgiveallyouwhomayperhapshaveforgottenwhatpassedsomanyyearsago，atthebeginningofyourlives，twodaystorecollectanddigestyourstory；bywhichtimeifyoudonotproducesomethingprettyandentertaining，wewillneveragainadmityoutodanceorplayamongus。’Allthisshespokewithsogood—humouredasmile，thateveryonewasdelightedwithher，andpromisedtodotheirbesttoacquitthemselvestohersatisfaction；whilstsome（thelengthofwhoseliveshadnotrenderedthemforgetfulofthetransactionswhichhadpassed）
instantlybegantheirmemoirs，astheycalledthem：andreallysomerelatedtheirnarrativeswithsuchspiritandingenuity，thatitquitedistressedusolderones，lestweshoulddisgraceourselveswhenitshouldfalltoourturnstoholdforth。
However，wewerealldeterminedtoproducesomething，asourfairdirectressordered。Accordingly，thenextmorningItookupmypen，toendeavourtodrawupsomekindofahistory，whichmightsatisfymycompanionsinconfinement。Itookupmypen，itistrue，andlaidthepaperbeforeme；butnotonewordtowardmyappointedtaskcouldIproceed。Thevariousoccurrencesofmylifeweresuchas，farfromaffordingentertainment，would，Iwascertain，ratherafflict；or，perhaps，notinterestingenoughforthat，onlystupefy，andrenderthemmorewearyofthecontinuationofthefrostthantheywerebeforeIbeganmynarration。Thuscircumstanced，therefore，althoughbymyself，Ibrokesilencebyexclaiming，’Whatataskhisthissweetgirlimposeduponme!OnewhichIshallneverbeabletoexecutetomyownsatisfactionorheramusement。Theadventuresofmylife（thoughdeeplyinterestingtomyself）willbeinsipidandunentertainingtoothers，especiallytomyyounghearers：Icannot，therefore，attemptit。’——’Thenwritemine，whichmaybemorediverting，’saidalittlesqueakingvoice，whichsoundedasifclosetome。I
startedwithsurprise，notknowinganyonetobenearme；andlookinground，coulddiscovernoobjectfromwhomitcouldpossiblyproceed，whencastingmyeyesupontheground，inalittleholeundertheskirting—board，closebythefire，I
discoveredtheheadofamousepeepingout。Iarosewithadesigntostoptheholewithacork，whichhappenedtolieonthetablebyme；andIwassurprisedtofindthatitdidnotrunaway，butsufferedmetoadvancequiteclose，andthenonlyretreatedalittleintothehole，sayinginthesamevoiceasbefore，’Willyouwritemyhistory？’YoumaybesurethatIwasmuchsurprisedtobesoaddressedbysuchananimal；but，ashamedofdiscoveringanyappearanceofastonishment，lestthemouseshouldsupposeithadfrightenedme，Iansweredwiththeutmostcomposure，thatI
wouldwriteitwillinglyifitwoulddictatetome。’Oh，thatI
willdo，’repliedthemouse，’ifyouwillnothurtme。’——’Notfortheworld，’returnedI；’come，therefore，andsituponmytable，thatImayhearmoredistinctlywhatyouhavetorelate。’Itinstantlyacceptedmyinvitation，andwithallthenimblenessofitsspecies，ranupthesideofmychair，andjumpeduponmytable；when，gettingintoaboxofwafers，itbeganasfollows。
But，beforeIproceedtorelatemynewlittlecompanion’shistory，Imustbegleavetoassuremyreadersthat，inearnest，Ineverheardamousespeakinallmylife；andonlywrotethefollowingnarrativeasbeingfarmoreentertaining，andnotlessinstructive，thanmyownlifewouldhavebeen：andasitmetwiththehighapprobationofthoseforwhomitwaswritten，IhavesentittoMr。Marshall，forhimtopublishit，ifhepleases，fortheequalamusementofhislittlecustomers。
PARTI。
Likeallothernewbornanimals，whetherofthehuman，oranyotherspecies，Icannotpretendtorememberwhatpassedduringmyinfantdays。ThefirstcircumstanceIcanrecollectwasmymother’saddressingmeandmythreebrothers，whoalllayinthesamenest，inthefollowingwords：—’Ihave，mychildren，withthegreatestdifficulty，andattheutmosthazardofmylife，providedforyoualltothepresentmoment；buttheperiodisarrived，whenIcannolongerpursuethatmethod：snaresandtrapsareeverywheresetforme，norshallI，withoutinfinitedanger，beabletoprocuresustenancetosupportmyownexistence，muchlesscanIfindsufficientforyouall；and，indeed，withpleasureI
beholditasnolongernecessary，sinceyouareofagenowtoprovideandshiftforyourselves；andIdoubtnotbutyouragilitywillenableyoutoprocureaverycomfortablelivelihood。Onlyletmegiveyouthisonecaution——never（whateverthetemptationmaybe）appearofteninthesameplace；ifyoudo，howeveryoumayflatteryourselvestothecontrary，youwillcertainlyatlastbedestroyed。’Sosaying，shestrokedusallwithherforepawasatokenofheraffection，andthenhurriedaway，toconcealfromustheemotionsofhersorrow，atthussendingusintothewideworld。
Shewasnosoonergone，thanthethoughtofbeingourowndirectorssocharmedourlittlehearts，thatwepresentlyforgotourgriefatpartingfromourkindparent；and，impatienttouseourliberty，weallsetforwardinsearchofsomefood，orrathersomeadventure，asourmotherhadleftusvictualsmorethansufficienttosupplythewantsofthatday。Withagreatdealofdifficulty，weclamberedupahighwallontheinsideofawainscot，tillwereachedthestoryabovethatwewerebornin，wherewefounditmucheasiertorunroundwithintheskirting—board，thantoascendanyhigher。
Whilewewerethere，ournosesweredelightfullyregaledwiththescentofthemostdelicatefoodthatwehadeversmelt；wewereanxioustoprocureatasteofitlikewise，andafterrunningroundandroundtheroomagreatmanytimes，weatlastdiscoveredalittlecrack，throughwhichwemadeourentrance。MybrotherLongtailledtheway；Ifollowed；Softdowncamenext；butBrighteyeswouldnotbeprevailedupontoventure。Theapartmentwhichweenteredwasspaciousandelegant；atleast，differedsogreatlyfromanythingwehadseen，thatweimagineditthefinestplaceuponearth。Itwascoveredalloverwithacarpetofvariouscolours，thatnotonlyconcealedsomebird—seedswhichwecametodevour，butalsoforsometimepreventedourbeingdiscovered；aswewereofmuchthesamehuewithmanyoftheflowersonthecarpet。Atlastalittlegirl，whowasatworkintheroom，bythesideofhermamma，shriekedoutasifviolentlyhurt。Hermammabeggedtoknowthecauseofhersuddenalarm。
Uponwhichshecalledout，’Amouse!amouse!Isawoneunderthechair!’’Andifyoudid，mydear，’repliedhermother，’isthatanyreasonforyourbehavingsoridiculously？Ifthereweretwentymice，whatharmcouldtheypossiblydo？Youmayeasilyhurtanddestroythen，；but，poorlittlethings!theycannot，iftheywould，hurtyou。’’What，couldtheynotbiteme？’inquiredthechild。’Theymay，indeed，beabletodothat；butyoumaybeverysurethattheyhavenosuchinclination，’rejoinedthemother。’A
mouseisoneofthemosttimorousthingsintheworld；everynoisealarmsit：andthoughitchieflylivesbyplunder，itappearsasifpunishedbyitsfearsforthemischiefswhichitcommitsamongourproperty。Itisthereforehighlyridiculoustopretendtobealarmedatthesightofacreaturethatwouldrunfromthesoundofyourvoice，andwishesnevertocomenearyou，lest，asyouarefarmoreable，youshouldalsobedisposedtohurtit。’’ButIamsure，madam，’repliedthelittlegirl，whosenameIafterwardsheardwasNancy，’theydonotalwaysrunaway；foroneday，asMissBetsyKitewaslookingamongsomethingswhichshehadinherbox，amousejumpedoutandranupherfrocksleeve——shefeltitquiteuponherarm。’’Andwhatbecameofitthen？’inquiredthemother。’Itjumpeddownagain，’repliedNancy，’andgotintoalittleholeinthewindow—seat；andBetsydidnotseeitagain。’
’Well，then，mydear，’resumedthelady，’whatharmdiditdoher？
IsnotthataconvincingproofofwhatIsay，thatyouhavenocausetobeafraidofthem，andthatitisverysillytobeso？
Itiscertainlyfoolishtobeafraidofanything，unlessitthreatensuswithimmediatedanger；buttopretendtobesoatamouse，andsuchlikeinoffensivethings，isadegreeofweaknessthatIcanbynomeanssufferanyofmychildrentoindulge。’
’MayIthen，madam，’inquiredthechild，’beafraidofcowsandhorses，andsuchgreatbeastsasthose？’’Certainlynot，’
answeredhermother，’unlesstheyarelikelytohurtyou。Ifacoworanhorserunsafteryou，Iwouldhaveyoufearthemsomuchastogetoutoftheway；butiftheyarequietlywalkingorgrazinginafield，thentoflyfromthem，asifyouthoughttheywouldeatyouinsteadofthegrass，ismostabsurd，anddiscoversgreatwantofsense。Ionceknewayounglady，who，Ibelieve，thoughtitlookedprettytobeterrifiedateverything，andscreamifdogorevenamouselookedather：butmostseverelywasshepunishedforherfolly，byseveralverydisagreeableaccidentsshebythosemeansbroughtuponherself。
’Onedaywhenshewasdrinkingteainalargecompany，onthedoorbeingopened，asmallItaliangreyhoundwalkedintothedrawing—room。Shehappenedtobeseatednearthemistressofthedog，whowasmakingtea：thedog，therefore，walkedtowardher，inordertobebyhisfavourite；but，uponhisadvancingnearher，shesuddenlyjumpedup，withoutconsideringwhatshewasabout，overturnedthewater—urn，thehotironofwhichrollingout，setfiretoherclothes，whichinstantlyblazedup，beingonlymuslin，andburntherarms，face，andneck，mostdreadfully：shewassomuchhurtastobeobligedtobeputimmediatelytobed；nordidsherecoverenoughtogoabroadformanymonths。Now，thougheveryonewassorryforhersufferings，whocouldpossiblyhelpblamingherforherridiculousbehaviour，asitwasentirelyowingtoherownfollythatshewassohurt？Whenshewastalkedtouponthesubject，shepleadedforherexcuse，thatshewassofrightenedshedidnotknowwhatshedid，norwhithershewasgoing；butasshethoughtthatthedogwascomingtohershecouldnothelpjumpingup，togetoutofhisway。Nowwhatridiculousarguingwasthis!Whycouldnotshehelpit？Andifthedoghadreallybeengoingtoher，whatharmwouldithavedone？Couldshesupposethattheladywhosehouseshewasat，wouldhavesufferedabeasttowalkaboutthehouseloose，andgointocompany，ifhewasapttobiteandhurtpeople？Orwhyshouldshethinkhewouldmoreinjureher，thanthosehehadbeforepassedby？Buttherealcasewas，shedidnotthinkatall；ifshehadgivenherselftimeforthat，shecouldnothaveactedsoridiculously。Anothertime，whenshewaswalking，fromthesamewantofreflection，sheverynearlydrownedherself。Shewaspassingoverabridge，theoutsiderailsofwhichwereinsomeplacesbrokendown：whileshewasthere，somecows，whichamanwasdriving，mether：
immediately，withoutmindingwhithershewent，sheshriekedout，andatthesametimejumpedononesidejustwheretherailhappenedtobebroken，anddownshefellintotheriver；norwasitwithoutthegreatestdifficultythatshewastakenouttimeenoughtosaveherlife。However，shecaughtaviolentcoldandfever，andwasagain，byherownfoolishfears，confinedtoherbedforsomeweeks。Anotheraccidentsheoncemetwith，whichthoughnotquitesobadasthetwoformer，yetmighthavebeenattendedwithfatalconsequences。Shewassittinginawindow，whenawasphappenedtoflytowardher；shehastilydrewbackherhead，andbrokethepaneofglassbehindher，someofwhichstuckinherneck。Itbledprodigiously；butasurgeonhappilybeingpresent，madesomeapplicationtoit，whichpreventeditsbeingfollowedbyanyotherilleffectsthanonlyafewdaysweakness，occasionedbythelossofblood。Manyothermisfortunesofthelikekindshefrequentlyexperienced；butthesewhichIhavenowrelatedmayservetoconvinceyouhowextremelyabsurditisforpeopletogivewaytoandindulgethemselvesinsuchgroundlessapprehensions，and，bybeingafraidwhenthereisnodanger，subjectthemselvestorealmisfortunesandmostfatalaccidents。
Andifbeingafraidofcows，dogs，andwasps（allofwhich，iftheyplease，cancertainlyhurtus）issoridiculous，whatmustbethefollyofthosepeoplewhoareterrifiedatalittlesillymouse，whichneverwasknowntohurtanybody？’
Heretheconversationwasinterruptedbytheentranceofsomegentlemenandladies；andwehavingenjoyedaveryfinerepastunderoneofthechairsduringthetimethatthemotheranddaughterhadheldtheabovediscourse，onthechairsbeingremovedforsomeofthevisitorstositupon，wethoughtitbesttoretire：highlypleasedwithourmeal，andnotlesswiththekindgoodwillwhichtheladyhad，wethought，expressedtowardsus。WerelatedtoourbrotherBrighteyesallthathadpassed，andassuredhimhehadnoreasontoapprehendanydangerfromventuringhimselfwithus。Accordinglyhepromised，ifsuchwasthecase，thatthenexttimewewentandfounditsafe，ifwewouldreturnbackandcallhim，hewouldcertainlyaccompanyus。’Inthemeantime，dopray，Nimble，’saidhe，addressinghimselftome，’comewithmetosomeotherplace，forIlongtotastesomemoredelicatefoodthanourmotherhasprovidedforus：besides，asperhapsitmaybealongwhilebeforeweshallbestrongenoughtobringanythingawaywithus，wehadbetterleavethat，incaseweshouldeverbepreventedfromgoingabroadtoseekforfreshsupplies。’’Verytrue，’repliedI；’whatyousayisquitejustandwise，thereforeIwillwithallmyheartattendyounow，andseewhatwecanfind。’Sosaying，webegantoclimb；butnotwithoutdifficulty，forveryfrequentlythebitsofmortarwhichwesteppedupongavewaybeneathourfeet，andtumbledusdowntogetherwiththemlowerthanwhenwefirstsetoff。However，aswewereverylight，wewerenotmuchhurtbyourfalls；onlyindeedpoorBrighteyes，byendeavouringtosavehimself，caughtbyhisnailsonarafter，andtoreoneofthemfromoffhisrightfore—foot，whichwasverysoreandinconvenient。Atlengthwesurmountedalldifficulties，and，invitedbyastrongscentofplum—cake，enteredacloset，wherewefoundafinelargeone，quitewholeandentire。Weimmediatelysetaboutmakingourwayintoit，whichweeasilyeffected，asitwasmostdeliciouslynice，andnotatallhardtoourteeth。
Brighteyes，whohadnotbeforepartakenofthebird—seed，wasoverjoyedatthesight。Healmostforgotthepainofhisfoot，andsoonburiedhimselfwithinsidethecake；whilstI，whohadprettywellsatisfiedmyhungerbefore，onlyateafewofthecrumbs，andthenwenttotakeasurveyoftheadjoiningapartment。
Icreptsoftlyunderthedooroftheclosetintoaroom，aslargeasthatwhichIhadbeforebeenin，thoughnotsoelegantlyfurnished；for，insteadofbeingcoveredwithacarpet，therewasonlyasmalloneroundthebed；andnearthefirewasacradle，withacleanly—lookingwomansittingbyit，rockingitwithherfoot，whilstatthesametimeshewascombingtheheadofalittleboyaboutfouryearsold。Inthemiddleoftheroomstoodatable，coveredwithagreatdealoflitter；andinonecornerwasthelittlegirlwhomIhadbeforeseenwithhermamma，cryingandsobbingasifherheartwouldbreak。AsImadenottheleastnoiseatmyentrance，nooneobservedmeforsometime；socreepingunderoneofthebeds，Iheardthefollowingdiscourse：——
’Itdoesnotsignify，miss，’saidthewoman，whoIfoundwasthechildren’snurse，’Ineverwillputupwithsuchbehaviour：youknowthatIalwaysdoeverythingforyouwhenyouspeakprettily；
buttobeorderedtodressyouinsuchamanner，iswhatIneverwillsubmitto：andyoushallgoundressedalldaybeforeIwilldressyou，unlessyouaskmeasyououghttodo。’Nancymadenoreply，butonlycontinuedcrying。’Aye!youmaycryandsobasmuchasyouplease，’saidthenurse；’Idonotcareforthat：I
shallnotdressyouforcryingandroaring，butforbeinggoodandspeakingwithcivility。’Justasshesaidthesewords，thedooropened，andincametheladywhomIbeforesaw，andwhosenameI
afterwardsfoundwasArtless。Assoonassheentered，thenurseaddressedher，saying，’Pray，madam，isitbyyourdesirethatMissNancybehavessorudely，andbidsmedressherdirectly，andchangethebucklesinhershoes，orelseshewillslapmyface？
Indeedshedidgivemeaslapuponmyhand；soItoldher，thatI
wouldnotdressheratall；forreally，madam，Ithoughtyouwouldnotwishmetodoit，whilstshebehavedso；andItookthelibertyofputtinghertostandinthecorner。’’Idonotthink，’
repliedMrs。Artless，’thatshedeservestostandintheroomatall，orinthehouseeither，ifshebehavesinthatmanner：ifshedoesnotspeakcivillywhenshewantstobeassisted，lethergowithouthelp，andseewhatwillbecomeofherthen。Iamquiteashamedofyou，Nancy!Icouldnothavethoughtyouwouldbehaveso；butsinceyouhave，Ipromisethatyoushallnotbedressedtoday，orhaveanyassistancegivenyou，unlessyouspeakinaverydifferentmanner。’
WhilstMrs。Artlesswastalking，nursewentoutoftheroom。Mrs。
Artlessthentookherseatbythecradle，andlookingintoit，foundthechildawake，andIsawhertakeoutafinelittlegirl，aboutfivemonthsold：shethencontinuedherdiscourse，saying，’Lookhere，Nancy，lookatthislittlebaby，seehowunableitistohelpitself；werewetoneglectattendingtoit，whatdoyonthinkwouldbecomeofit？SupposeIwerenowtoputyoursisteruponthefloor，andthereleaveher，tellmewhatdoyouthinkshecoulddo，orwhatwouldbecomeofher？’Nancysobbedout，thatshewoulddie。’Andpray，mydear，’continuedMrs。Artless，’ifweweretoleaveyoutoyourself，whatwouldbecomeofyou？Itistrue，youtalkandrunaboutbetterthanPolly：butnotabitbettercouldyouprovidefor，ortakecareofyourself。Couldyoubuyordressyourownvictuals？couldyoulightyourownfire？
couldyoucleanyourownhouse，oropenandshutthedoorsandwindows？couldyoumakeyourownclothes，orevenputthemonwithoutsomeassistance，whenmade？Andwhodoyouthinkwilldoanythingforyou，ifyouarenotgood，anddonotspeakcivilly？
NotI，Ipromiseyou，neithershallnurse，noranyoftheservants；forthoughIpaythemwagestohelptodomybusinessforme，Ineverwantthemtodoanythingunlesstheyaredesiredinaprettymanner。Shouldyoulike，ifwhenIwantyoutopickupmyscissors，ordoanylittlejob，Iweretosay，\"Pickupmyscissorsthismoment，orIwillslapyourface？\"Shouldnotyouthinkthatitsoundedverycrossanddisagreeable？’’Yes，madam，’
repliedNancy。’Thenwhy，’rejoinedMrs。Artless，’shouldyouspeakcrosstoanybody，particularlytoservantsandpoorpeople？
fortobehavesotothem，isnotonlycross，butinsolentandproud：itisasifyouthoughtthatbecausetheyareratherpoorer，theyarenotsogoodasyourself，whereas，Iassureyou，povertymakesnodifferenceinthemeritofpeople；forthoseonlyaredeservingofrespectwhoaretrulygood；andabeggarwhoisvirtuous，isfarbetterthanaprincewhoiswicked。’Iwaspreventedfromhearinganymoreofthisveryjustdiscourse，bythelittleboy’sopeningthedoorandlettinginacat；which，thoughitwasthefirstthatIhadeverseeninmylife，Iwascertainwasthesamedestructiveanimaltoourrace，whichIhadfrequentlyheardmymotherdescribe。Ithereforemadeallpossiblehastebacktothecloset，andwarningBrighteyesofourdanger，weinstantlyreturnedbythesamewaywhichwecame，toourtwobrothers，whomwefoundwaitingforus，andwonderingatourlongabsence。Werelatedtothemthedaintycheerwhichwehadmetwith，andagreedtoconductthemthitherintheevening。
Accordingly，assoonasitgrewtowardsdusk，weclimbedupthewall，andallfourtogetherattackedtheplum—cake，whichnoonehadtouchedsinceweleftit；butscarcelyhadweallseatedourselvesroundit，thanonasuddenthecloset—dooropened，andawomanentered。Awayweallscamperedasfastaspossible，butpoorBrighteyes，whocouldnotmovequitesofastonaccountofhissoretoe，andwholikewisehavingadvancedfartherintothecake，wasdiscoveredbeforehecouldreachthecrackbywhichweentered。Thewoman，whohadaknifeinherhand，struckathimwithit，atthesametimeexclaiming，’Blessme，nurse，hereisamouseinthecloset!’Happily，shemissedheraim，andheonlyreceivedasmallwoundonthetipofhistail。Thisinterruptionsadlyalarmedus，anditwasaboveanhourbeforewecouldhavecouragetoventureback，whenfindingeverythingquiet，exceptMrs。Nurse’ssingingtoherchild，weagaincreptout，andoncemoresurroundedthecake。Wecontinuedwithoutanyfurtheralarmtillwewereperfectlysatisfied，andthenretiredtoalittledistancebehindthewainscot，determinedtheretosleep，andtobreakfastonthecakethenextday。
EarlyinthemorningIwaked，andcallingmybrothers，weallmarchedforward，andsoonarrivedatthedelightfulcake，wherewehighlyenjoyedourselveswithouttheleastdisturbance，tillourappetiteswerefullysatisfied。Wethenretired，tookalittlerunroundsomeotherpartsofthehouse，butmetwithnothingworthrelating。Atnoonweagainmadeourwayintothecloset，intendingtodineonthedishonwhichwebreakfasted；but，toournosmallmortification，thedeliciousdaintywasremoved。Thisyoumaybesurewasasaddisappointment；yetaswewerenotextremelyhungry，wehadtimetolookaboutformore。Wewerenotlonginfindingit；foruponthesameshelffromwhichthecakewasremoved，therewasaroundtinbox，thelidofwhichwasnotquitecloseshutdown；intothisweallcrept，andwerehighlyregaledwithsomenicelumpsofsugar。Butitwouldbeendlesstoenumerateallthevariousrepastswhichwemetwithinthiscloset，sometimesterrifiedbytheentranceofpeople，andsometimescomfortablyenjoyingourselveswithoutalarm：itissufficienttoinformyou，that，unmindfulofourmother’sadvice，wecontinuedtoliveuponthecontentsofthesamecupboardforaboveaweek；when，oneevening，aswewereasusualhasteningtofindoursuppers，Softdown，whohappenedtobefirst，raneagerlytoapieceofcheese，whichhesawhangingbeforehim。’Comealong，’saidhe，’hereissomenicecheese，itsmellsmostdelightfullygood!’Justashespokethesewords，beforeanyofuscameuptohim，alittlewoodendooronasuddendroppeddown，andhidhimandthecheesefromoursight。
Itisimpossibletodescribeourconsternationandsurpriseuponthisoccasion，whichwasgreatlyincreasedwhenweadvancedneartheplace，atseeinghim（throughsomelittlewirebars）confinedinasmallbox，withoutanyvisiblewayforhimtogetout，andhearinghiminthemostmovingaccentsbegustoassisthiminprocuringhisliberty。Weallranroundandroundhisplaceofconfinementseveraltimes；butnottheleastcrackoropeningcouldwediscover，exceptthroughthebars，whichbeingofiron，itwasimpossibleforustobreakorbend。Atlengthwedeterminedtotrytognawthroughthewood—workcloseattheedge，whichbeingalreadysomelittledistancefromoneofthebars，wehoped，bymakingtheopeningalittlewider，hewouldescape：
accordinglyweallbegan，heontheinside，andweallontheout，andbyourdiligencehadmadesomeveryconsiderableprogress，whenwewereinterruptedbytheentranceofMrs。Nursewiththechildinherarms。
Uponthesightofher，thoughmuchgrievedtoleaveourbrotherinhisdistress，yetfearinginstantdeathwouldbethefateofallofusifwestayed，topreserveourownexistence，weretiredasquickaspossible，butnotwithoutherseeingsomeofus，forweheardhersaytoherself，ortothebabeinherarms，’Ideclare，thisclosetswarmswithmice，theyspoileverythingoneputshere。’ThentakinguptheboxinwhichwaspoorSoftdown（andwhichIafterwardslearnedwascalledatrap）shecarrieditintO
theroom。Icreptsoftlyafterher，toseewhatwouldbethefateofmybelovedbrother。Butwhatwordscanexpressmyhorror，whenIsawherholdingitinonehandclosetothecandle，whilstintheothersheheldthechild，singingtoherwiththeutmostcomposure，andbiddinghertolookatthemousy!mousy!
WhatweretheactionsorsensationsofpoorSoftdownatthatdreadfulmomentIknownot：butmyownanguish，whichitisimpossibletodescribe，wasstillaugmentedeverymomentbyseeinghershakethetrapalmosttopsy—turvy，thenblowthroughthetrapatoneend，atwhichtimesIsawthedearcreature’stailcomeoutbetweenthewiresonthecontraryside，ashewasstriving，I
suppose，toretreatfromher。Atlength，aftershehadthustorturedhimforsometime，shesetthetraponthetable，soclosetoalargefire，thatIamsurehemusthavebeenmuchincommodedbytheheat，andbegantoundressherchild。
Thenhearingsomebodygobythedoor，shecriedout，’Whoisthere？isityou，Betty？ifitis，Iwishyouwouldcomeandtakedownthemouse—trap，forIhavecaughtamouse。’Bettyinstantlyobeyedhercall，anddesiredtoknowwhatshewanted。’Iwantyoutotakedownthemouse—trap，’shereplied，’forIcannotleavethechild。IamgladthatIhavegotit，Iamsure，fortheclosetswarmsso，thereisnosuchthingasbearingit。Theydevoureverything：Ideclaretheyhaveeatenupawholepoundofsugar，whichcostmeelevenpence，sugarisnowsomonstrouslydear!
indeedthemanmadeafavourtoletmehaveitforthat；only，hesaid，asourfamilyweregoodcustomers，andIwasbutaservant，hewouldtakenomore。AndenoughtooIthoughtitwas，tohaveonlyapennybackinchangeoutofawholeshillingforonepoundofsugar：andthentothinkofthepoisonmicetohaveitall；
butIwillbreaktheirfilthynecks。Do，Betty，praytakethetrapdown，andreturnwithitassoonasyoucan，andIwillsetitagain：forIdaresayIshallcatchanotherbeforeIgotobed，forIheardsomemorerustlingamongthethings。’’Olauk!’
repliedBetty，’yondonotthinkthatIwilltakedownthetrap，doyou？Iwouldnottouchitfortwentypounds。Iamalwaysfrightened，andreadytodieatthesightofamouse。Once，whenIwasagirl，Ihadonethrowninmyface，andeversinceIhavealwaysbeenscaredoutofmywitsatthem；andifeverIseeonerunningloose，asIdidonenightintheclosetbelowstairs，wherethecandlesarekept，IscreamasifIwasbeingkilled。’
’Whythen，’answeredNurse，’Ithinkyoubehavelikeagreatfool，forwhatharmcouldamousedotoyou？’’Ola!Ihatethem，’
returnedshe，andthenranawaywithoutthetrap。GreatlywasI
rejoicedatherdeparture，asIhopedthat，bysomemeans，Softdownmightstillbeabletomakehisescape。But，alas!nosuchgoodfortuneattendedhim。Somepersonagainpassingthedoor，Nurseoncemorecalledout，’Whoisthere？Johnisityou？’
’Yes，’repliedaman’svoice。’Thendoyoustepin，willyou，foramoment？’rejoinedMrs。Nurse：andinstantlyenteredamanwhomIhadneverbeforeseen。’Whatdoyouwant，Nurse？’saidhe。’I
onlywanttogetridofamouse，’returnedshe；’and，doyouknow，Bettyissuchafoolthatsheisafraidoftakingit，andIwantthetraptosetitagain，fortheyswarmherelikebeesinahive，onecanhavenopeaceforthem：theydevourandspoileverything；IsaysometimesthatIbelievetheywilleatmeupatlast。’Whileshewassayingthis，Johntookthetrapinhishand，heldituponcemoretothecandle，thentakingapieceofthreadoutofapaper，thatlayboundroundwithadirtyblueribbonuponthetable，heshookthetrapabouttillhegotmybrother’stailthroughthewires，whencatchingholdofit，hetiedthethreadtightrounditanddraggedhimbyittothedoorofthetrap，whichheopened，andtookhimout，suspendingtheweightofhisbodyuponhistail。
Softdown，whotillthethreadwastiedhadpatientlycontinuedperfectlyquiet，couldnolongersupportthepainwithoutdismalcriesandanguish：hesqueakedasloudashislittlethroatwouldlethim，exertingatthesametimetheutmostofhisstrengthtodisengagehimself。Butinsuchaposition，withhisheaddownward，invainwereallhiseffortstoprocurerelief；andthebarbarousmonsterwhoheldhimdiscoverednotthesmallestemotionsofpityforhissufferings。Oh!howatthatmomentdidI
abhormyownexistence，andwishthatIcouldbeendowedwithsizeandstrengthsufficient，atoncebothtorescuehim，andseverelypunishhistormentors。Butmywishwasineffectual，andIhadtheinexpressibleafflictionofseeingtheinhumanwretchholdhimdownuponthehearth，whilst，withoutremorse，hecrushedhimbeneathhisfoot，andthencarelesslykickedhimintotheashes，saying，’There!Thecatwillsmellitoutwhenshecomesup。’MyverybloodrunscoldwithinmeattherecollectionofseeingSoftdown’sasitspurtedfrombeneaththemonster’sfoot；whilstthecrunchofhisbonesalmostpetrifiedmewithhorror。Atlength，however，recollectingtheimpossibilityofrestoringmybelovedbrothertolife，andthedangerofmyownsituation，I，withtremblingfeetandpalpitatingheart，creptsoftlybacktomyremainingtwobrothers，whowereimpatientlyexpectingmebehindthecloset。ThereIrelatedtothemthehorridscenewhichhadpassedbeforemyeyes，whilsttheanguishitcausedintheirgentlebosomsfarexceedsmypowertodescribe。
Afterhavingmingledourlamentationsforsometime，Ithusaddressedthem：’Wehavethisnight，mybrothers，tastedtheseverestafflictioninthecrueldeathofourdearbrother，companion，andfriend；letusnot，however，onlymournhisloss，butalsogatherwisdomfromourmisfortune，andreturntothatdutywhichwehavehithertoneglected。Recollect，mydearfriends，whatwerethelastwordswhichourgoodmotherspoketousatparting。Shechargedus，uponnoaccount，fornotemptationwhatever，toreturnfrequentlytothesameplace：ifwedid，sheforewarnedusthatdeathandruinwouldcertainlyawaitus。Butinwhatmannerhaveweobeyedthisherkindadvice？Wehavenotevensomuchasoncerecollecteditsincesheleftus；or，ifwethoughtofitforamoment，wefoolishlydespiseditasunnecessary。Now，therefore，wesincerelyfeeltheconsequenceofourdisobedience；and，thoughoursufferingsaremostdistressing，yetwemustconfessthatweamplydeservethem。Letustherefore，mybrothers，instantlyflyfromaplacewhichhasalreadycostusthelifeofourbelovedSoftdown，lestweshouldalllikewisefallasacrificetoourdisobedience。’——Andherethewritercannothelpobservinghowjustwerethereflectionsofthemouseonthecrimewhichtheyhadbeenguiltyof；andbegseveryreaderwillbecarefultorememberthefatalconsequencesthatattendedtheirdisobedienceoftheirmother’sadvice，sincetheymaybeassuredthatequalifnotthesamemisfortunewillalwaysattendthosewhorefusetopayattentiontotheadviceoftheirparents。But，toreturntothehistory。
Tothisproposal（continuedthemouse）mybrothersreadilyagreed；
andwedirectlydescendedtotheplacewewereinwhenwediscoveredthecrackthatledustotheroominwhichwefeastedonbird—seed。Herewedeterminedtowait，andwhenthefamilywereallquietinbed，togoforthinsearchofprovision，aswebegantoberatherhungry，nothavingeatenanythingalongwhile。
Accordinglywestayedtillaftertheclockstrucktwelve，whenpeepingout，wesawthattheroomwasempty：wethenventuredforth，andfoundseveralseeds，thoughnotenoughtoaffordaveryamplemealforthreeofus。
Afterwehadclearedtheroom，weagainreturnedtoourhiding—place，wherewecontinuedtillafterthefamilyhadfinishedtheirbreakfast。Theyallthenwenttotakeawalkinthegarden，andwesteppedouttopickupthecrumbswhichhadfallenfromthetable。Whilstwewerethusemployed，atadistancefromourplaceofretreat，wewerealarmedbytheentranceoftwoboys，whoappearedtobeabouttwelveorthirteenyearsofage。Wedirectlyrantowardsthecrack；butalas!wewerenotquickenoughtoescapetheirobservation；for，seeingus，theybothatonceexclaimed，’Somemice!somemice!’andatthesametimetookofftheirhats，andthrewatus。Longtailhappilyeludedtheblow，andsafelygothome，butpoorBrighteyesandmyselfwerelessfortunate；andthoughweforaconsiderabletime，byourquickness，preventedtheircatchingus，atlength，beingmuchdisabledbyablowthatoneofthemgavemewithabookwhichhethrewatme，Iwasunableanylongertorun，andhobblingveryslowlyacrosstheroom，hepickedmeup。AtthesamemomentBrighteyeswassoentangledinahandkerchiefwhichtheotherboytossedoverhim，thathelikewisewastakenprisoner。Ourlittleheartsnowbeatquickwithfearofthosetorturesweexpectedtoreceive；norwereourapprehensionslessenedbyhearingtheboysconsultwhattheyshoulddowithus，’I，’saidone，’willthrowmineintothepond，andseehowhewillswimoutagain。’’AndI，’
saidtheother，’willkeepmineandtameit。’’Butwherewillyoukeepit？’inquiredhiscompanion。’Oh，’repliedhe，’IwillkeepitunderalittlepantillIcangetahousemadeforit。’Hethen，holdingmebytheskinatthebackofmyneck，ranwithmeintothekitchentofetchapan。HereIwasnotonlythreatenedwithdeathbythreeorfouroftheservants，whoallblamedMasterPeterforkeepingme；butlikewisetwoorthreecatscameroundhim，rubbingthemselvesbackwardandforwardagainsthislegs，andthenstandingupontheirhindfeettoendeavourtomakethemselveshighenoughtoreachme。Atlast，takingapaninhishand，hereturnedtohisbrotherwithoneofthecatsfollowinghim。
Immediatelyuponourentrance，theboyexclaimed，’Oh，nowIknowwhatIwilldo：Iwilltieapieceofstringtoitstail，andteachthecattojumpforit。’Nosoonerdidthisthoughtpresentitselfthanitwasputintopractice，andIagainwasobligedtosustaintheshockingsightofabrotherputtothetorture。I，inthemeantime，wasplaceduponthetable，withapanputoverme，inwhichtherewasacrack，sothatIcouldseeaswellashearallthatpassed：andfromthisplaceitwasthatIbeheldmybelovedBrighteyessuspendedatoneendofastringbyhistail；
onewhileswingingbackwardandforward，atanotherpulledupanddown，thensufferedtofeelhisfeetontheground，andagainsuddenlysnatchedupasthecatadvanced，thentwistedroundandroundasfastaspossibleatthefulllengthofthestring：inshort，itisimpossibletodescribeallhissufferingsofbody，ormyanguishofmind。Atlengthamostdreadfulconclusionwasputtothem，bytheentranceofagentlemanbootedandspurred，withawhipinhishand。’Whatintheworld，Charles!’saidhe，ashecamein，’areyouabout？Whathaveyougotthere？’’Onlyamouse，sir，’repliedtheboy。’Heisteachingthecattojump，sir，’saidPeter，’thatisall。’
Brighteyesthengaveafreshsqueakfromtheviolenceofhispain。
Thegentlemanthenturninghastilyround，exclaimedeagerly，’What，isitalive？’’Yes，sir，’saidtheboy。’Andhowcanyou，youwicked，naughty，cruelboy，’repliedthegentleman，’takedelightinthustorturingalittlecreaturethatneverdidyouanyinjury？Putitdownthismoment，’saidhe，atthesametimegivinghimaseverestrokewithhishorse—whipacrossthathandbywhichheheldmybrother。’Letitgodirectly，’andagainrepeatedtheblow：theboyletgothestring，andBrighteyesfelltotheground；andwasinstantlysnappedupbythecat，whogrowling，ranawaywithhiminhermouth，and，Isuppose，putaconclusiontohismiseriesandlifetogether，asIneverfromthatmomenthaveheardanyaccountofhim。
Assoonashewasthustakenoutoftheroom，thegentlemansatdown，and，takingholdofhisson’shand，thusaddressedhim：
’Charles，Ihadamuchbetteropinionofyou，thantosupposeyouwerecapableofsomuchcruelty。Whatright，Idesiretoknow，haveyoutotormentanylivingcreature？Ifitisonlybecauseyouarelarger，andsohaveitinyourpower，Ibegyouwillconsider，howyouwouldlike，thateithermyself，orsomegreatgiant，asmuchlargerthanyouasyouarebiggerthanthemouse，shouldhurtandtormentyou？AndIpromiseyou，thesmallestcreaturecanfeelasacutelyasyou，nay，thesmallertheyare，themoresusceptiblearetheyofpain，andthesoonertheyarehurt：alesstouchwillkillaflythanaman，consequentlyalesswoundwillcauseitpain；andthemousewhichyouhavenowbeenswingingbythetailoverthecat’smouth，hasnot，youmayassureyourself，sufferedlesstormentorfrightthanyouwouldhavedone，hadyoubeensuspendedbyyourleg，eitheroverwater，whichwoulddrownyou，oroverstones，whereifyoufellyoumustcertainlybedashedtopieces。Andyetyoucouldtakedelightinthustorturinganddistressingapoorinoffensiveanimal。Fieuponit，Charles!fieuponit!Ithoughtyouhadbeenabetterboy，andnotsuchacruel，naughty，wickedfellow。’’Wicked!’
repeatedtheboy，’IdonotthinkthatIhavebeenatallwicked。’
’ButIthinkyouhavebeenextremelyso，’repliedhisfather；
’everyactionthatiscruel，andgivespaintoanylivingcreature，iswicked，andisasuresignofabadheart。Ineverknewaman，whowascrueltoanimals，kindandcompassionatetowardshisfellow—creatures：hemightnotperhapstreattheminthesameshockingmanner，becausethelawsofthelandwouldseverelypunishhimifhedid；butifheisrestrainedfrombadactionsbynohighermotivethanfearofpresentpunishment，hisgoodnesscannotbeverygreat。Agoodman，Charles，alwaystakesdelightinconferringhappinessonallaroundhim；norwouldheofferthesmallestinjurytothemeanestinsectthatwascapableoffeeling。’Iamsure，’saidtheboy，’Ihaveoftenseenyoukillwasps，andspiderstoo；anditwasbutlastweekthatyouboughtamouse—trapyourselftocatchmicein，althoughyouaresoangrynowwithme。’’Andpray，’resumedhisfather，’didyoueverseemetormentaswellaskillthem？OrdidIeverkeeptheminpainonemomentlongerthannecessary？Iamnotcondemningpeopleforkillingverminandanimals，providedtheydoitexpeditiously，andputthemtodeathwithaslittlepainaspossible；butitisputtingthemtoneedlesstormentandmiserythatIsayiswicked。
Hadyoudestroyedthemousewithoneblow，orrathergivenittosomebodyelsetodestroyit（forIshouldnotthinkatender—heartedboywoulddelightinsuchoperationshimself），I
wouldnothavecondemnedyou；but，tokeepithangingthewholeweightofitsbodyuponitstail，toswingitabout，and，bythat，toholditterrifyingoverthecat’sjaws，andtotakepleasureinhearingitsqueak，andseeingitstruggleforliberty，issuchunmanly，suchdetestablecruelty，ascallsformyutmostindignationandabhorrence。But，sinceyouthinkpainsoverytriflinganevil，try。Charles，howyoulikethat，’saidhe，givinghimatthesametimesomeseverestrokeswithhishorsewhip。Theboythencried，andcalledout，’Idonotlikeitatall，Idonotlikeitatall。’’Neitherdidthemouse，’
repliedhisfather，’likeatalltobetiedtoastring，andswungaboutbyhistail：hedidnotlikeit，andtoldyousoinalanguagewhichyouperfectlywellunderstood；butyouwouldnotattendtohiscries；youthoughtitpleasuretohearitsqueak，becauseyouwerebigger，anddidnotfeelitstorture。Iamnowbiggerthanyou。anddonotfeelyourpain。Ithereforeshallnotyetleaveoff；asIhopeitwillteachyounottotormentanythinganothertime。’Justashesaidthesewords，theboy，endeavouringtoavoidthewhip，ranagainstthetableonwhichI
wasplaced，andhappilythrewdownthepanthatconfinedme。I
instantlyseizedtheopportunity，jumpeddown，andoncemoreescapedtothelittleholebywhichIfirstentered。ThereI
foundmyonlybrotherwaitingforme，andwasagainunderthedreadfulnecessityofpaininghistenderheartwiththerecitalofthesufferingswhichIhadbeenwitnesstoinourdearBrighteyes，aswellastheimminentdangerImyselfhadbeenexposedto。
’And，surely，’saidI，’wehaveagaindrawnthiseviluponourselvesbyourdisobediencetoourmother’sadvice；she，doubtless，intendedthatweshouldnotcontinueinthesamehouselongtogether；whereasfromthedayofherleavingus，wehaveneverbeeninanyotherbutthis，whichhasoccasionedussuchheavyaffliction。Therefore，uponnoaccount，letuscontinueanothernightunderthisroof；but，assoonastheeveningbeginstogrowdarkenoughtoconcealusfromtheobservationofanyone，wewillsetoff，andseekalodginginsomeotherplace；andshouldanymisfortunebefallusonourpassage，weshallatleasthavetheconsolationofthinking。thatweweredoingourdutybyfollowingtheadviceofourparent。’’Itistrue，’saidmybrother，’wehavebeengreatlytoblame；forthefuturewewillbemorecarefulofourconduct；butdo，mydearNimble，’continuedhe，’endeavourtocomposeyourself，andtakealittlerest，afterthepainandfatiguewhichyouhavegonethrough，otherwiseyoumaybesick；andwhatwillbecomeofme，ifanymischiefshouldbefallyou？Ishallthenhavenobrothertoconversewith，nofriendtoadvisemewhattodo。’Herehestopped，overpoweredwithhisgriefforthelossofourtwomurderedbrothers，andwithhistendersolicitudeformywelfare。Iendeavouredallinmypowertocomforthim，andsaidIhopedthatIshouldsoonrecoverfromthebruisesIhadreceivedbothfromtheboy’shatandbook，aswellasthepinchesinmyneckwithhisfingerandthumb，bywhichheheldme，andpromisedtocomposemyself。ThispromiseI
fulfilledbyendeavouringtosleep；butthescenethatIhadsolatelybeenwitnesstowastoofreshinmyimaginationtosuffermetoclosemyeyes：however，Ikeptforsometimequiet。
Therestofthedaywespentinalmosttotalsilence，havingnospiritsforconversation，ourheartsbeingalmostbrokenwithanguish。Whenitgrewtowardevening，weagreedtofindourwayoutofthatdetestedhouse，andseekforsomeotherhabitation，whichmightbemorepropitious。Butwefoundmoredifficultyinthisundertakingthanwewereatallawareof；forthoughwecouldwithtolerableeasegofromroomtoroomwithinthehouse，still，whenweattemptedtoquitit，wefounditeverywaysurroundedwithsothickabrickwall，thatitwasimpossibleforustomakeourwaythroughit：wethereforeranroundandrounditseveraltimes，searchingforsomelittlecrevicethroughwhichwemightescape；butalltonopurpose，nottheleastcrackcouldwediscover：andwemighthavecontinuedtheretillthistime，hadwenotatlength，afterthefamilywereinbed，resolvedtoventurethroughoneoftheapartmentsintothehall，andsocreepoutunderthehousedoor。Butthedangersweexposedourselvestointhisexpeditionweremanyandgreat；weknewthattrapsweresetforusaboutthehouse，andwheretheymightchancetobeplacedwecouldnottell。Ihadlikewisebeeneye—witnesstonolessthanfourcats，whomight，foroughtweknewtothecontrary，atthathourofdarkness，beprowlinginsearchofsomeofourunhappyspecies。
But，inspiteofeverydifficultyandhazard，wedeterminedtoventureratherthancontinueinoppositiontoourmother’scommands；and，torewardourobedience，weescapedwithtremblinghearts，unobserved，atleastunmolested，byanyone。Andnow，forthefirsttimesinceourbirth，wefoundourselvesexposedtotheinclemencyoftheweather。Thenightwasverydarkandtempestuous；therainpoureddownintorrents；andthewindblewsoexceedinglyhigh，that，lowuponthegroundaswewere，itwaswithdifficultythatwecouldkeepourlegs：addedtowhich，evenstepwetook，wewereinwateruptoourstomachs。Inthiswretchedconditionweknewnotwhichwaytoturnourselves，orwheretoseekforshelter。Thespatteringoftherain，thehowlingofthewind，togetherwiththerattlingandshakingofthetrees，allcontributedtomakesuchanoiseasrendereditimpossibleforustohearwhetheranydangerwasapproachingusornot。
Inthistrulymelancholysituationwewadedonforaconsiderabletime，tillatlengthwereachedasmallhouse，andveryeasilygainedadmittancethroughaprettylargeholeononesideofthedoor。Mostheartilydidwerejoiceatfindingourselvesoncemoreundershelterfromthecoldandrain，andforsometimeonlybusiedourselvesindryingourhair，whichwasasthoroughlywetasifwehadbeenservedastheboythreatenedmybrotherBrighteyes，andwehadreallybeendrawnthroughapond。Afterwehaddonethis，andhadalittlerestedourselves，webegantolookaboutinsearchoffood，butwecouldfindnothing。exceptafewcrumbsofbreadandcheeseinaman’scoatpocket，andapieceoftallow—candlestuckonthetopofatinder—box。This，however，thoughnotsuchdelicateeatingaswehadbeenusedto，yetservedtosatisfyourpresenthunger；andwehadjustfinishedthecandlewhenweweregreatlyalarmedbythesightofahumanhand（forwemicecanseealittleinthedark）feelingabouttheverychaironwhichwestood。Wejumpeddowninaninstant，andhidourselvesinalittleholebehindablacktrunkthatstoodinonecorneroftheroom。
Wethenheardverydistinctlyamansay，’Betty，didyounotputthecandlebythebedside？’’Yes，thatIamverysureIdid，’
repliedafemalevoice。’Ithoughtso，’answeredtheman；’butI
amsureitisnotherenow。Tom!Tom!Tom!’continuedhe。’What，father？’repliedaboy，startingup，’whatisthematter？’’Why，doyouknowanythingofthecandle？Icannotfindit，mydear，andIwantitsadly，forIfancyitistimeweshouldbeupandbejogging。Dostknowanythingofit，mylad？’’NotI，truly，father，’saidtheboy，’IonlyknowthatIsawmotherstickitinthebox—lidlastnight，andputituponthechair，whichshesetbythebedside，afteryouhadputyourclothesuponthebackofit；IknowIsawherputitthere，soitmustbetherenow，I
fancy。’’Well，Icannotfindit，’repliedthefather；sowemuste’engetupinthedark，forIamsureitmustbetime。’Thefatherandsonthenbothdressedthemselves，andtheman，takingashillingoutofhispocket，laidituponthechair，sayingatthesametime，’There，Betty。Ihaveleftashillingforyou；takecareitdoesnotgoafterthecandle，forwherethatisIcannottellanymorethanthecarpatthebottomofthesquire’sfish—pond。’Hethenunlockedthedoor，andwentaway，accompaniedbyhisson。