said Moses Mouse in an undertone. "He _talks_
a good deal about nose-biting. I should like to see him _do_ it. I knew
Miss Snooper was skulking around the yard to-night. That's why I came
to call on this chap. I wanted to see whether he'd fight or run."

Meanwhile Miss Snooper climbed all over the woodpile. She could hear
faint squeaks somewhere. And she was almost frantic because she couldn't
squirm under the wood and find whoever was talking.

It was almost morning before Moses Mouse and his wife dared to steal
back to the farmhouse. When they left the woodpile Master Meadow Mouse
left it too. He had decided, during the night, that he wouldn't live in
the farmyard.

"I've become very tired of this old Cat," he told his companions--Mr.
and Mrs. Moses Mouse. "I shouldn't care to stay where I had to see her
often."

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

10

A Handy Sign

HUNTING played a great part in the life of Master Meadow Mouse. Somebody
or other was always hunting him. And he was always hunting for something
to eat. He spent a good deal of his time away from home, looking for
seeds and grain. On the other hand, he spent a good deal of his time in
his house; for Master Meadow Mouse liked to take naps--especially in the
daytime.

After he started to live in Farmer Green's woodpile, but moved away from
it before he had finished building his nest there, Master Meadow Mouse
settled near the fence between the meadow and the pasture. The mowing
machine hadn't cut the weeds and grass that grew close to the fence. He
found shelter there from the sharp eyes of birds that would have caught
him had they been able to.

This time Master Meadow Mouse didn't live underground. He made a sort of
little hut for himself, which kept out the cold in chilly weather, and
shed the rain when it didn't pour down too hard.

It was a good home. But it had one drawback. If anybody came along when
its owner was asleep in it--Well, Master Meadow Mouse didn't like to
think about that. The little nest at the end of the tunnel where he had
once lived had been far safer.

"I know what I'll do!" he cried at last, as a happy thought came to him.
"I'll hang a sign outside my door."

He set to work. And soon he had printed a sign. On one side of this was
the notice, "Gone to Lunch. Back To-morrow." And on the other side were
the words, "At Home. Don't Knock. Walk In."

"There!" said Master Meadow Mouse as he stood off a few paces an