But Alligator paid no heed. He crawled through the doorway and disappeared.
"I'll never bring him again," Hortense whispered, much vexed. "He's always doing things he shouldn't and getting us into trouble."
She had no sooner said the words than another quick squeal came from behind the barn, and then silence.
"He's swallowed the pig," said Andy.
It seemed probable, indeed, that he had done so, but they saw no more of Alligator and didn't dare go out to look for him.
Hortense must have taken a brief nap after that, for suddenly she became aware of Jeremiah standing in the doorway. He had come so quietly that she hadn't heard him at all.
He stood there a moment, his back arched and his tail waving—his great green eyes roving about the barn. Then, with a tiny sound, appeared Grater. Tom and Jerry, in their stalls, began to tremble. Grater laughed unpleasantly and chanted in a rough voice:
Ride, ride, ride
For the world is fair and wide.
The moon shines bright