They then slipped through a crack in the door and found themselves in the dining-room. On the table they found cake and fruit and were preparing to make a feast when suddenly the door opened and in walked the cook. The mice jumped off the table and ran into a hole in the floor. Poor little Brownie was so frightened that he could almost hear his heart beat.
But finally their hunger conquered fear, and when everything grew quiet again they slipped into the kitchen. There they found a bowl of fresh cheese and were helping themselves to it when they saw two great bright eyes near them.
“Run, cousin! Run!” cried Ringtail. “It is the cat!”
Brownie needed no second warning, and they ran as fast as their little legs could carry them. When they reached a safe distance Brownie found his voice and said:
“Good-by, cousin! I’m going back home. If living in fear is what you call real life I do not care to know it. I prefer my quiet home where the birds sing while I eat my corn and apples to your beautiful home with its cake and dangers.”
JULIA’S PRESENCE OF MIND
It is well to know what to do in case of fire.
Julia lived with her mother in an old-fashioned house on the edge of the town. Her mother was a widow and worked at the village store, while Julia stayed at home and took care of her little sister. Her mother trusted her and felt that her little one was safe so long as Julia had her in charge.
Julia would read to her little sister out of her story books, then she would tell her fairy tales, and talk to her about obeying her mother, and growing up to be a good girl. She never told her ghost stories or any stories to frighten her, and never let her be afraid of the dark, and she never threatened to “tell mother on her when she came home.”