"That's worse than white mice," said Daisy, who had listened with wide open eyes, in such intense interest that she quite forgot to eat her breakfast.
"But that's awful for mamma," said Bob. "What will she do?"
"It is a great pity," said Mr. Ransom. "I had hoped mamma would not be troubled in that way."
"They seem to be appearing all over the house at once," said Nellie, "and only since day before yesterday when I found the first in the store-room."
"Did you find one in the store-room too?" asked Johnny.
"Ever so many in a box; but Catherine killed them," said Nellie, never doubting, of course, that she was stating the truth.
Carrie raised her downcast eyes in terror; but, to her relief, the servant in waiting had left the breakfast-room for one moment, and there was no contradiction of Nellie's words.
"Why, Cad?" said Johnny, "what ails you? you seem to take the mouse almost as hard as mamma would. You needn't be afraid for your bird, if that's it; for he was only after the seed."
Mr. Ransom looked at Carrie again.