just swing myself down to that great big huge branch, _so_--" as she
started, there was a sound of something tearing, and this was very
natural, for the skirt of her unlucky frock was caught on a small bough
and refused to accompany her to the lower branch; but it was too late
for Brighteyes to stop herself. Down she went, alighting safely on the
big branch, from which she could easily swing herself down to the
ground. But, alas! more than half of her skirt had remained on the upper
branch. There it hung, and flapped about in a most unpleasant way, and
there stood Brighteyes, gazing ruefully at the ruin she had wrought, but
still clasping the kitten tightly in her arms.

[Illustration]

Now I want to ask you if you think Mrs. Posset could possibly have
chosen a worse time for looking out of the window? she did, however,
think it proper to look out just at that particular moment; and as I saw
from her face that she meant mischief, and as I have the strongest
possible objection to seeing children punished, I just tipped my glass
and saw the people of Nankin ringing the bells on the Porcelain Tower,
to celebrate the Emperor's birthday.

CHAPTER VI.

A NIGHT JOURNEY.

[Illustration]

"THIS has been a fine day!" I said, as I sat down by Brighteyes' pillow.
"Certainly it cannot be said that you five mice spend your time in
idleness. The only wonder is that your uncle's hair has not turned gray
from anxiety, long before this. I never saw such mice. Positively,
Pun-Chin is nothing to you."

"And who is Pun-Chin?" asked Brighteyes. "And who are you, if you
please?"

"Pun-Chin is a Chinese mouse--I mean boy," I replied. "And I am the Man
in the Moon. I live in a silver palace--" and then I told her all about
myself, as I had told Downy and the twins the night before. But
Brighteyes was much more excited about it all than the little ones had
been. Very little children take everything for granted I find, like my
friend little Mary West, who, when a great green frog jumped right into
her lap the other day, as she was sitting by the brook, merely said
"Poor frog wanted to sit down, was tired!"

[Illustration]

"Oh!" cried Brighteyes. "How delightful! how perfectly delightful! and
are you really true, or am I only dreaming you? and what is your name?
and may I call Nibble?"

"One thing at a time!" I replied. "I certainly am true, as true as
moonshine. As for dreaming me, why, that depends on what you call
dream