The last touches had been put upon the tall Christmas tree standing in the living room. The father and mother had gone upstairs to bed—
“And the children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar plums danced through their heads.�
But, in the hole in the wall, the Velvet family were all wide awake.
“Ee-ee-ee!� squeaked Squeaky, “why can’t we creep into the big room and see the tall Christmas tree? We have heard the children talking about that tree for days, and we have never seen a Christmas tree, so please, Mother-Mouse, can’t we go out this time and see it?�
“Yes,� said Sniffy, “do let us go, Mother-Mouse. Everything has been smelling so good lately, and the children and the cook made long strings of popcorn. I nibbled a little piece that they dropped here on the pantry floor, and it tasted so good.�
“Yes,� said Sharpeyes, “and I peered out of our hole and saw some candy on a plate and some gingerbread cakes, all ready for the children. Oh, I do want a bite of those good things! Please let us have a Christmas party, Mother-Mouse!�
“Now, don’t tease, children; I will ask your father, and if he says it is safe, why, then we shall go.�
When the father-mouse heard them, he said, “Well, I will go out first, and look carefully about, and then I will let you know if you dare to venture out.� So father-mouse crept softly through the pantry. He tiptoed down the long hall and into the living-room, but the old cat was nowhere to be seen.
For you must know, children, the house people were afraid that the cat might brush against the tree and break something, so poor Mrs. Puss had been banished to the coal-bin and was spending her Christmas Eve down in the cellar all alone; and she was howling and yowling because she was so angry.
When the father-mouse could not find the cat, he came back to the pantry and called out the glad tidings, “The coast is clear, come out, children.�