“I do believe those sparrows have come to see the rat too,” said Nancy.
Major, also, had turned around in his box-stall and faced the little group assembled around the dead rat, and appeared to take great interest in the event.
“Now, the only thing left to do is to tear up those boards and bring the old fellow’s nest to light,” neighed Major.
“I guess Major is saying he’s glad the old rat won’t be able to steal any more of his oats, don’t you, Tom?” said Posy, going up to the gentle horse and stroking his soft nose.
“It’s more likely he’s after asking yees for the apples ye have in the hands of yees,” answered Michael.
Major gave him as scornful a look as his mild eyes were capable of giving, and then rubbed his nose affectionately against the little hand that stroked him, in order to show his appreciation of the sympathy she had with his feelings.
“Papa,” cried Tom and Posy together, as Mr. Winton came out of the house, “do come and see this awful big rat the barn-cat caught last night.”
“He was an old stager, and no mistake,” said Papa, looking at him. “I want you, Michael, to take up these boards and destroy all the old nests. I don’t doubt there are a good many of them.”
The barn-cat was so delighted that she completely forgot her dignity, and catching sight of the tiger-kittens and house-kittens at play in the yard, raced up to them and chased them around till they thought she had suddenly lost her wits.
“Well, I declare,” said the house-cat, who was too well bred to forget her dignity in such a manner, “I thought you had a fit.”