A certain house being much infested with Mice, a Cat was at length
procured, who very diligently hunted after them, and killed great
numbers every night. The Mice, being exceedingly alarmed at this
destruction among their family, consulted together upon what was
best to be done for their preservation against so terrible and cruel
an enemy. After some debate, they came to the resolution, that no
one should, in future, descend below the uppermost shelf. The Cat,
observing their extreme caution, endeavoured to draw them down to their
old haunts by stratagem, for which purpose, she suspended herself by
her hinder legs upon a peg in the pantry, and hoped by this trick
to lull their suspicions, and to entice them to venture within her
reach. She had not long been in this posture, before a cunning old
Mouse peeped over the edge of the shelf, and squeaked out thus: Aha!
Mrs Puss, are you there then? There may you be; but I would not trust
myself with you, though your skin were stuffed with straw.