NOW let me think what happened after Puss finished telling how he had
been a sailor for a week on the ocean blue.
Oh yes, of course. He had scarcely said good-by to the little boy when
whom should he meet but Mr. Rowley Frog and a big rat.
[Illustration]
"So you're going to make a call on Mrs. Mousey," said Puss, as he and
Mr. Rowley Frog and the rat reached the dusty highway.
"Yes, sir-ee," replied Mr. Rowley Frog. "She lives just over there." And
when Puss looked across the meadow he saw a cute little house.
"Looks like a pretty nice little place," said the rat; "let's hurry
along." So all three started off on a run.
When they came to the door of Mousey's hall,
Heigh-ho, says Rowley.
They gave a loud knock, and they gave a loud call.
Pray, Mrs. Mouse, are you within?
Heigh-ho, says Rowley!
Oh, yes, kind sirs, I'm sitting to spin.
"I guess she's too busy," said Puss. "We'd better not interrupt her."
"Nonsense," replied Mr. Rowley Frog, bowing to Mrs. Mousey, who happened
just then to look out of her little window. Then Mr. Rat took off his
cap and said:
"Pray, Mrs. Mouse, will you give us some beer?"
Heigh-ho, says Rowley.
"For Froggy and I are fond of good cheer."
"Indeed, I will not," said Mrs. Mousey. "You ought to be ashamed of
yourself! And as for Mr. Anthony Rowley, he must throw away that horrid
cigar if he wants to call on me."
Well, goodness gracious! Didn't Mr. Rowley look ashamed! He threw his
cigar away at once, and Mr. Rat hid behind Puss, he was so embarrassed,
and as soon as Mrs. Mousey saw that they were both truly sorry for what
they had done, she smiled and said:
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"Pray, Mr. Frog, will you give us a song?"
Heigh-ho, says Rowley.
"But let it be something that's not very long."
"Indeed, Mrs. Mouse," replied the Frog,
Heigh-ho, says Rowley.
"I've caught quite a cold, for it's damp in the bog."
"Since you have caught cold, Mr. Frog," Mousey said,
Heigh-ho, says Rowley.
"I'll sing you a song that I have just made."
But first she opened the door and invited them in. "I'm not afraid of
you," she said to Puss, "for I know you are Mr. Puss in Boots, Junior."
Well, just as soon as they were all seated, she began to sing:
"Mrs. Mousey has a housey,
Very small and trim,
Nice Swiss cheeses good for sneezes,
Filled up to the brim.
Also candy, fine and dandy,
Ice cream soda, too,
If you're nice to little mice,
I'll give some to you."
"I'll see that my two small friends behave," said Puss, with a grin.