'In chamber sad she sits alone,
And ceases not with grief to moan.
She weeps until her eyes are red,
Because the dear old Fox is dead.'
'Well, just tell her, Mistress, that there's a young Fox here, who
would be glad to woo her.'
'Very well, young gentleman.'
'Then went the Cat with pit-a-pat
And smote the door, rat-tata-tat!
"Pray, Mrs. Reynard, are you in?
Outside a wooer waits below!"'
'Well, what's he like? I want to know. Has he got nine such beautiful
tails as the late lamented Mr. Reynard?'
'Oh dear no,' answered the Cat. 'He has only got one.'
'Then I won't have him.'
Mistress Cat went down, and sent the wooer away.
Soon after this there was knocking again, and another Fox appeared at
the door, who wished to pay his addresses to Mrs. Reynard. He had two
tails, but he came off no better than the first. Afterwards others
came, each with one tail more; but they were all rejected, till at
last one came that had nine tails like old Mr. Reynard.