And gets the best that’s in it.”
Thus sang Maria, and then laughed long and loud, but even this little serenade would not tempt Nibble from his cosy house.
“You are the handsomest mouse in these parts,” said the cat.
Nibble pricked up his ears; he did love to be flattered, and whispered, “Think so?”
“I’m sure of it,” answered Maria; “and if it was not for the fact that you’ve lost your tail you’d be the prince of fine fellows.”
“But I haven’t lost my tail,” declared Nibble; “it is very long indeed.”
“I can hardly believe that,” said Maria, “because the other day when you went up-stairs to the pantry I could not see any tail.”
“Did you see me the other day going into the pantry?” asked Nibble in surprise.
“O yes, indeed!” answered the cat.
Now this statement of Maria’s was not true, as she had never seen Nibble until that moment, but the foolish little mouse believed it, and thought if the cat did not hurt him on that other day she would not now.