and thinking of her babies at home who were waiting for her, she ran as she never ran before, dreading every moment to feel the house-cat's cruel claws; but she reached the hole under the shed-door in safety, and had just time to whisk her tail in after her when the house-cat's claws were at the entrance.
How her little heart did beat when she reached the barn; and how much faster still it beat when she remembered that she had left Hannah's silver thimble behind, and must give an account of herself to old Graywhisker! Yes, there was the old rat peering out of his hole, and she couldn't pass without his seeing her. His sharp old eyes soon spied her out, and he called to her to stop.
"Well," he said, eying her sharply as she stood trembling before him, "how did you get along? Come, don't keep me waiting here all night!"
