"'"Did you know, Mimi, that the moon is made of green cheese?"
"'She said, "No."
"'"It is," he continued. "The wise men that study the stars have just found it out."
"'I pricked up my ears at this, and as I had a chance soon after to make my escape, I did so.'
"'What!' exclaimed the whole mouse family. 'Is the moon nothing but a big slice of cheese, then?'
"'Do you believe it, my son?' inquired Grandpapa, rubbing his nose with a puzzled air.
"'Dear me, dear me!' sighed Grandmamma, wiping her spectacles, 'what next?'
"'I don't know what to believe,' continued the bachelor. 'I told the others of it that night, and I do not believe the president has slept a wink since. We have searched everywhere to learn if it is really true; we have set an extra watch of four to listen in the library; and if they have not found out something when I go back, I, for one, shall start direct for Harvard University, to settle the matter.
"'Now, you see, if the moon is really made of green cheese,' he added, shaking his head wisely, 'I should suppose it would have been eaten up long ago.'
"Here he stopped suddenly. Every one of his nephews and nieces had fallen asleep, some in their mothers' laps, and others huddled together in little balls upon the floor. A great deal they cared about the moon!