The lullaby made Puss, Jr., sleepy, for the man's voice was low and tender, and Puss was very tired.
In a sleepy voice he asked, "And has the mother gone to the mill to get the meal for the cake?"
"Indeed she has," replied the maid.
After this she went into the kitchen. Puss gazed about him for a while and then dropped off to sleep, hearing the drowsy voice of the man up-stairs singing:
"Hush-a-bye, baby, lie still with thy daddy."
All was very quiet. "Tick-tock, tick-tock," said the big clock, and a mouse peeped out of his hole and laughed to himself when he saw Puss fast asleep. He tiptoed over to the red-topped boots that had fallen off Puss, Jr.'s, tired little feet, and even crawled inside. Perhaps he wanted to tell his father how brave he had been to go inside a big cat's high-top boots while the owner snored close by. Presently he ran over to the hole in the wall. I imagine it did not take him long to tell his story, for in a few minutes three little mice crept out and tiptoed over to where Puss lay sleeping so soundly.
"Did you ever see any nicer boots than these?"
Mr. Mouse put on a very wise expression.
"They are certainly a very fine pair of boots," said he, "and they have the mark of a royal cobbler."
"Gracious me! how interesting!" cried Mrs. Mouse; "let me take a look." And she inspected Puss, Jr.'s, footwear with much interest. "Beautifully made," she said. "This must be a royal cat, for otherwise why should he have a royal cobbler?"