answered the old rat, "or you'll find yourself

in trouble. The barn-cat and you are two very different individuals, and I shan't stand on ceremony with you, I can assure you."

"Do stand on ceremony with me," said Mrs. Polly, with another laugh.

Gray Whisker brought his teeth savagely together; but Mrs. Polly kept her cold gray eye on him in such a very unconcerned manner that he evidently thought better of his intention and resumed his search for food.

"Mean people these," he muttered; "not a scrap left. Come, don't be stingy, Mrs. Polly; give me one of your peanuts there. I don't know when I've tasted a peanut,—not since the day Posy left a few and went into the house for a glass of water She didn't find many left when she came back, though."

"Come and get one if you want it," said