hing had been
pushed in at the door. They came out of the back parlour. There was an
envelope lying on the counter, and a policeman writing in a note-book!

Pickles nearly had a fit, he barked and he barked and made little rushes.

"Bite him, Pickles! bite him!" spluttered Ginger behind a sugar-barrel,
"he's only a German doll!"

The policeman went on writing in his notebook; twice he put his pencil in
his mouth, and once he dipped it in the treacle.

Pickles barked till he was hoarse. But still the policeman took no notice.
He had bead eyes, and his helmet was sewed on with stitches.

[Illustration]

At length on his last little rush--Pickles found that the shop was empty.
The policeman had disappeared.

But the envelope remained.

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

"Do you think that he has gone to fetch a real live policeman? I am afraid
it is a summons," said Pickles.

"No," replied Ginger, who had opened the envelope, "it is the rates and
taxes, L3 19 11-3/4."

"This is the last straw," said Pickles, "let us close the shop."

They put up the shutters, and left. But they have not removed from the
neighbourhood. In fact some people wish they had gone further.

[Illustration]

Ginger is living in the warren. I do not know what occupation he pursues;
he looks stout and comfortable.

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

Pickles is at present a gamekeeper.

[Illustration]

The closing of the shop caused great inconvenience. Tabitha Twitchit
immediately raised the price of everything a half-penny; and she continued
to refuse to give credit.

Of course there are the trades-men's carts--the butcher, the fish-man and
Timothy Baker.

But a person cannot live on "seed wigs" and sponge-cake and
butter-buns--not even when the sponge-cake is as good as Timothy's!

[Illustration]

After a time Mr. John Dormouse and his daughter began to sell peppermints
and candles.

But they did not keep "self-fitting sixes"; and it takes five mice to
carry one seven inch candle.

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

Besides--the candles which they sell behave very strangely in warm
weather.

[Illustration]

And Miss Dormouse refused to take back the ends when they were brought
back to her with complaints.

And when Mr. John Dormouse was complained to, he stayed in bed, and would
say nothing but "very snug;" which is not the way to carry on a retail
business.

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

So everybody was