AND HIS NINE BOY-RATS.
nce on a time an old gray rat did live in a hole in the wall, with his wife and his nine wee rats, all boys. It was a hole by the side of the fire; and as snug and nice and warm as you like.
You may be sure that the pa-pa and mam-ma rats got the wee ones lots to eat, for they were all so fat, and full of fun and play.
But one sad day, all the bits of pie and cake were gone. Not as much as a bit the size of a pin's head was left in the hole.
So the wee rats all got in a row, and held up two paws each, and in a sad tone did cry: "O pa-pa! O mam-ma!
"We want some cake,
We want some tea,
We want some pie,
Eee! eee! eee! eee!"
Then a tear came out of each eye, and ran down each nose, and made the hole as damp as a bath-tub.
"O my poor dear boys!" said the old rat, "do stop! You will make me cry too;" and he put his paw to his eye. "I will go and see what I can get you for your tea e-e-e-e. Come, give me a hug, and kiss me for good-by, for that big cat I told you of may get hold of me, and bite my head off. If she does so, this is the last you will see of your poor pa-pa."