"'Oh, my dear master, my dear master; be merciful and spare my life, and I'll tell you a story.' That was what she said.
"'Out with it then,' said the cat.
"'Once on a time there were two small mice,' said the fell-mouse; and she squeaked so pitifully and slowly, for she wanted to drag the story out as long as she could.
"'Then they were not alone,' said the cat, both sharply and drily.
"'And so we had a steak we were going to cook.'
"'Then you were not starved,' said the cat.
"'So we put it up on the roof that it might cool itself well,' said the fell-mouse.
"'Then you didn't burn your tongues,' said the cat.
"'So, then the fox and the crow came and gobbled it up,' said the fell-mouse.
"'And so I'll gobble you up,' said the cat.