A little mouse crept out one day,
When all was still about;
To dollie's house he took his way,
The lady being out.
He skipped about with bead-bright eyes
From table down to chair;
He thought the house was just the size
For him to settle there.
He found some jelly cake so nice,
This naughty little mouse;
He nibbled first, then in a trice
'Twas gone from dollie's house.
He curl'd himself upon the floor,
To have a little nap,
When suddenly upon the floor
There came a fearful rap.
The mouse who had not left a crumb,
With fear began to shake,
For dollie's mistress back had come
To get her piece of cake.
She opened wide the little house,
Her doll lay on her arm,
And when she spied the trembling mouse
She cried out with alarm.
She tumbled back upon the ground,
Her dear doll falling too,
While the mouse went rushing round,
Not knowing what to do.
At last he tumbled down the stair,
Then to his hole he flew;
And which did most the other scare
They never, never knew.
[Illustration: Mouse reading "How to Dodge the Cat".]
[Page 184--Froggy Land]
[Illustration: Kind frog carrying his wife.]