f my right.
'Poor little mouse,' said I, 'who can be afraid of such a little object
as this? Do you not feel ashamed of yourself, Joe, to fear such a little
creature as this? Only look at it, observe how small it is, and then
consider your own size, and surely, my dear, you will blush to think of
being no more of a man than to fear a mouse! Look at me, Joe,' continued
I, 'see, I will kiss it, I am not at all afraid that it will hurt me.'
When, lifting it up toward my face, I heard it say, in the faintest
voice possible, 'Do you not know me?' I instantly recollected my little
friend Nimble, and rejoiced at so unexpectedly finding him. 'What, is it
you, little Nimble,' exclaimed I, 'that I again behold? Believe me, I
am heartily rejoiced once more to find you; but tell me, where have you
been, what have you done, whom have you seen, and what have you learned
since you last left me?' 'Oh!' replied he, in a voice so low I could
scarcely hear him, 'I have seen many things; but I am so faint and weak
for want of food and fresh air, that I doubt I shall never live to tell
you; but, for pity's sake have compassion on me, either put me out of
my present misery by instantly killing me, or else give me something
to eat; for, if you knew my sufferings, I am sure it would grieve your
heart.' 'Kill you!' returned I, 'no, that I will not: on the contrary, I
will try by every method to restore you to health, and all the happiness
a mouse is capable of feeling.' I then instantly sent for some bread,
and had the satisfaction of seeing him eat very heartily of it, after
which he seemed much refreshed, and began to move about a little more
suitable to his name; for, in truth, when I first found him, no living
creature in the world could appear less deserving of the appellation of
Nimble. I then fetched him a little milk, and gave him a lump of sugar
to nibble; after eating of which he begged to retire into some safe
little hole to take a nap, from whence he promised to return as soon as
he should wake; and accordingly, in about an hour he again appeared on
my table, and began as follows.

I was frightened away from you just as I was going to implore your
compassion for any unfortunate mouse that might happen to fall within
your power; lest you should destroy my dear and only surviving brother,
Longtail; but somebody entering the room, prevented me, and after I had
regained my hiding place, I resolved to quit the house, and once
more se