When famished Grasshopper Green had eaten all he could—which, of course, seemed like very little to the big, hearty Meadow-Mice—and when he had drunk the delicious Gooseberry juice, he sank back in the comfortable chair with a contented sigh.
Just think how heavenly it must have seemed to him, after having been nearly frozen and starved to death, to be sitting cozily by a warm hearth after a good supper! Father Meadow-Mouse was helping Mother Meadow-Mouse to wash the supper dishes, which rattled in a very homelike way. Long-Tail, Sharp-Eyes, Pink-Ears, and Mouseykins had started droning their lessons for the next day.
"What a wonderfully cheerful place this is," said Grasshopper Green to himself, drowsily. "What beautiful blue furniture—and what a fine red tablecloth—what delightful yellow curtains—and what a good motto hanging over the mantle! 'Do—unto—others—as—you—would—have—them—do—unto—you.'" Then Grasshopper Green went fast asleep in the chair.
Father Meadow-Mouse carried him into the children's room, where there was an old cradle which was about the right size for him, for you see a grown-up Grasshopper is not much bigger than a baby mouse.
Good Father Meadow-Mouse then covered him up carefully with the very warmest blanket from his own bed.
