ild without putting him in danger
of his life; for Downy might have been very much hurt, perhaps even
killed, and then you would never have forgiven yourself. Remember, my
boy, that there is a great difference between three years and eight
years, and that what may be harmless for you may be very dangerous for
your little brother."

"Indeed, Uncle, I am very sorry!" said Nibble earnestly; "and I will try
to be more careful. And--and what shall I do now, Uncle? there isn't any
punishment tree here, is there?"

This question puzzled me at the time, but I found out afterwards that in
the place where they had lived before, there was one special tree into
which Nibble always had to climb when he had been naughty, and where he
had spent many hours of penance.

Uncle Jack smiled kindly on the boy--I mean the mouse--and said "I have
not found one yet, dear child! but I think that if you were to spend the
rest of the morning in the house, and try to console Downy for his bumps
and bruises, it would be a very good thing."

Nibble looked grave at this. He would have preferred sitting in a tree,
and hearing the birds sing, and wondering where their nests might be,
and how many eggs there might be in them, to spending the lovely, sunny
morning in the house. But he went in without a word, remembering that
Downy also had to stay in the house through his carelessness, and with
aches and pains which he somehow had escaped.

He found the baby mouse curled up on the sofa in the library, looking
very forlorn, with a handkerchief tied round his head. Mrs. Posset was
sitting beside him, reading to him, for though Downy was a very little
boy, he was very fond of stories. His eyes brightened when he saw
Nibble. "Oh! Nibby!" he cried. "Did dey catf de cat?"

"Indeed, I hope not!" said Mrs. Posset. "It is a strange thing in the
nature of boys, that they like to see cats tormented."

"But I don't like to see them hurt, Mrs. Posset!" said Nibble. "It _is_
fun to see them run, but the dogs never catch them, so no harm is done.
And it is good for the cats to have a little exercise, I am sure, for
they are lazy creatures."

"Humph!" said Mrs. Posset. "Well, I am reading to Downy now, Master
Nibble, so--"

"Wouldn't you like me to take the book, Mrs. Posset?" asked Nibble. "I
must stay in the house till dinner, and I could read to Downy."

"Oh! yes, Nibby, read!" cried Downy.

"Very well, Master Nibble, and that is just what will please me