alf tumbled, to the ground.
He knew how he could get to his nest quickly enough, through a certain
chink in the cellar wall.

Miss Kitty Cat soon decided that she had lost Moses Mouse again.

"Dear me!" she sighed. "What wretched luck I'm having to-night! I
declare, it's a sad home-coming for me."

Meanwhile Mr. Moses Mouse was having a most merry time. Mrs. Mouse made
a great fuss over him. And that was exactly what he liked.

XXIII

A SECRET

MISS KITTY CAT was behaving in the strangest manner. She came into the
kitchen and hovered about the feet of Farmer Green's wife, mewing and
looking up at Mrs. Green as if she had something special to tell her.

"What is it, Kitty?" Mrs. Green asked her. "Are you hungry?"

But Miss Kitty Cat soon showed that she wasn't hungry, for she wouldn't
touch anything that Mrs. Green offered her.

"Well, you'll have to run away, anyhow," Mrs. Green told her. "I can't
take a step with you right under my feet."

Though Miss Kitty Cat trotted towards the door, she soon made it plain
that she didn't intend to leave the kitchen unless her mistress went
with her. She came back and twitched Mrs. Green's apron gently with her
claws. Then she ran to the doorway again and called to Mrs. Green.

It seemed to Miss Kitty Cat that she couldn't have said more clearly
that she wanted to lead Mrs. Green somewhere. But still Mrs. Green
didn't quite understand.

"Scat!" she cried, just a bit impatiently. "I've too much to do to be
bothered this morning. I suppose you've caught a mouse and want to show
it to me. You'll have to bring it here, for I haven't any time to waste
to-day."

Miss Kitty Cat felt somewhat hurt. She went out and sat on the doorstep
and looked in at Farmer Green's wife. Now and then she gave a plaintive
mew. But Mrs. Green wouldn't pay any attention to her.

"Dear me!" said Miss Kitty. "Mrs. Green is busier than ever this
morning."

Old dog Spot had been watching Miss Kitty's actions. And now, as she
started towards the barn, he sidled up to her, wagging his tail to show
her that he wanted to have a few friendly words with her.

"If Mrs. Green won't come with you, I'll be glad to," he offered. "Just
lead the way and I'll follow."

"You?" Miss Kitty Cat exclaimed with scorn. "You needn't think I'd take
you where I want Mrs. Green to come. You needn't think I'd show you what
I want her to see."

"Ho!" cried old Spot. "I don't know how you're going to stop me f