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his pipe, but when he stooped over the hearth the egg-shells flew into his eye.

‘Everything goes to my head this morning,’ he said angrily, as he dropped on to the cushion of his Grandfather’s arm-chair. But he quickly bounded up again, and shouted, ‘Gracious me!’ for the Needle had run into him, and this time not in the head. He grew furious, and his suspicions immediately fell on the guests who had come in so late the night before. When he went to look for them, they were nowhere to be seen. Then he swore never to take such ragamuffins into his house again; for they ate a great deal, paid nothing, and played tricks, by way of thanks, into the bargain.

II. The Visit to Mr. Korbes

Another day, when Partlet and Chanticleer were about to take a journey, Chanticleer built a fine carriage with four red wheels, and harnessed four little mice to it. Mrs. Partlet seated herself in it with Chanticleer, and they drove off together.

Before long they met a Cat. ‘Whither away?’ said she.

Chanticleer answered—

‘All on our way
A visit to pay
To Mr. Korbes at his house to-day.’

‘Take me with you,’ said the Cat.

Chanticleer answered, ‘With pleasure; sit down behind, so that you don’t fall out forwards.’

‘My wheels so red, pray have a care
From any splash of mud to spare.
Little wheels hurry!
Little mice scurry!
All on our way
A visit to pay
To Mr. Korbes at his house to-day.’