middle," wailed
the Councillor. "It makes me shudder in every quill to think of it.
Not even a front door to receive him at!"

"Oh, as to that, let him come to us, and we will give him the best we
have," replied the Mole-father. "Our place is homely, but I daresay he
will condescend to put up with it till your house is in order again. I
sent Karl on to intercept him, and explain just how it is. He will
take him straight to our house till you are ready for him."

"Well, I must say you have been exceedingly thoughtful," said the
Councillor, pompously, "and I feel sincerely grateful to you; but now,
will you kindly explain to me the cause of this severe disturbance?"

"I think I'll come into the room first, if you'll allow me," said the
Mole-father. "I am getting rather a crick in the neck from sticking my
head through here."

"Come in by all means," said the Hedgehog-mother, graciously. "I am
sorry to be obliged to receive you in this humble apartment."

"Gypsies!" growled Uncle Columbus, who was brushing the currants and
crumbs off his coat with a duster.

The Mole-father had by this time worked himself into the kitchen,
dragging his spade after him; and seated on a bench by the stove, he
related the whole story to the Councillor, but carefully omitted to
give the name of the person who had betrayed the Hedgehogs to the
Tinker's family; and notwithstanding the requests of the whole family,
he firmly refused to do so.

"All's well that ends well," he said cheerfully, "and as I heard the
Tinker forbidding his sons ever to come near the place again, you will
be quite safe in the future."

"What has happened to that dreadful boy? Is he still in the hole, or
have they got him out?" enquired the Hedgehog-mother anxiously.

"Got him out some time ago," said the Mole-father, "and carried him
off to the hospital. Broke his leg, I am sorry to say, though it's
nothing very bad. He will be all right in six weeks or so. I don't
think much of those human fractures."

"Serves him right," said the Councillor viciously. "And now, my good
preserver, in what way can we show our gratitude to you? I shall send
Fritz and Wilhelm into the town for more provisions, and we might have
our Coffee Party after all. What do you say to that, my children?"

The family clapped their hands joyfully.

"I trust you and your family will grace the party?" said the
Hedgehog-mother to the old Mole.

"On one condition," he replied, "I shall be d