said the old rat savagely. "I thought you had more sense."
"Well, all at once that disagreeable Polly (she's always minding everybody's business but her own) said, 'I do believe there's a rat under that piazza.' I didn't wait to hear any more, I can tell you, but slunk off just as the barn-cat jumped down to find out where the noise came from."
"Here comes the barn-cat!" called out Silvertail from the window; and instantly the whole company darted to their holes, as the barn-cat appeared at the head of the stairs.
The barn-cat put her nose up in the air and sniffed. "Those rats and mice have been about, sure as you live!" she said. "I must teach the gray kitten to keep a sharp lookout while I'm away. Hallo!" she called to Major, "how are you getting on?"
"All right," answered Major; "I've im-
