e inches tall, had even
less wish to see Grater than formerly. Hortense was aware of a sinking
feeling in her stomach.

The door flew open and in walked Grater, and very large and rough he
looked. Where Malay Kris had run him through, he wore a large patch of
pink court-plaster. His eyes fell upon Andy and Hortense and a wide and
wicked smile appeared upon his unhandsome countenance.

"Well, well," said Grater in his rough voice, "if here aren't our
little friends. We must urge them to stay with us. Jeremiah, put these
nice plump children in the cooky jar for future use."

[Illustration: "Jeremiah, put these nice plump children in the cooky
jar," said Grater in his rough voice.]

With two steps Grater was across the room, and he removed the cover of
the jar.

"In with them, Jeremiah," said Grater, and Jeremiah, rising lazily,
took first Andy and then Hortense by the collar and dropped them into
the jar. The top came down with a clatter, and Hortense and Andy were
in the dark.

The jar was empty and the sides were smooth as glass.

"Stand on my back," said Andy, "and see if you can reach the cover."

Though Hortense could just reach it, it was far too heavy for her to
move.

"It wouldn't be of any use," said Hortense. "They'd catch us again even
if we did get out."

So they sat quiet for a long time. Hortense felt like crying, but
managed not to. After a time she became hungry and put her hand in her
pocket. There was a large piece of cooky which she had put there when
she began to grow small and had completely forgotten.

"I have a piece of cooky," said she, breaking it in two and giving Andy
half.

"If we eat any more, we may grow still smaller," said Andy.

"I don't care, I'm hungry," said Hortense. "Besides, if we grow very
small perhaps the Cat won't see us when he looks into the jar--or we'll
be too small to eat, at any rate."

It seemed a slim chance, but Hortense took a bite of cooky and waited
to see what would happen.

"I'm not growing smaller," said she. "I do believe I'm growing bigger!"

She stood up quickly.

"I can reach the top," said she.

Andy stood up, too.

"I'm still growing," said Hortense. "Quick. We must get out before the
jar is too small for us, or we'll be squeezed in and can't get out."

Together they pushed as hard as they could. The top of the jar fell off
with a loud crash and Andy and Hortense scrambled over the edge, just
in time, for they were growing bigger ve