"The lame mouse, however, had listened to every word with bright eyes, and this pleased the bachelor so much, that he patted her upon the head, saying,—
"'You are a good child, my dear; I shall leave you something in my will.'
"The others were then roused up, and trundled off to bed; but they were so sleepy they did not once think to ask their uncle's pardon.
"'I've been thinking,' said Grandpapa, 'of the time when my gray cousin and I made a trip together. We were both very gay, and one hot summer morning he said to me,—
"'"Every one is bound to the mountains: let us go, too."
"'"But," said I, "you know my father is away on business, and I am the eldest son, left in charge of the family."
"'"Never mind," rejoined he, "we can have such splendid fun!"
"'Well, we ran away from home (my cousin lived with us, as he had been left an orphan at a tender age). We travelled along bravely for a time, although the sun was dreadfully hot upon our backs.'
"'"Oh, dear!" I panted, "I never was so warm in my life."
"'"What is easier than to carry an umbrella, then?" suggested my companion; and with that he nibbled the stems of two toad-stools until they separated, and carrying one above his own head, gave me the other. This was a delightful change, for the toad-stools spread so as to shelter our faces from the sun. We trotted along comfortably after this, and finally came to the brink of a brook, where we paused, because we did not know how to get across.