ed through school as much respected as any boy, and his magnanimity
was never again called in question.'

As the gentleman stopped speaking, the little girl called out, 'O, papa,
the coach is at the door.' 'Is it, my dear?' returned the father. 'Well
then, stop, my love,' said one of the ladies, 'I have got a few cakes
for you: stay, and take them before you go.' She then unlocked the
closet where we were, and took down the paper of macaroons, among which
we had so comfortably regaled ourselves; when, observing the hole in the
paper through which we entered, 'O dear!' she exclaimed, 'the mice have
actually got into my cupboard. I will move all the things out this very
morning, and lock the cat up in it; for I shall be undone if the mice
once get footing here; they will soon spoil all my stores, and that
will never do.' She then kissed both the children; and, giving them
the cakes, they, the gentleman, and another lady, all departed; and she
instantly began to move the boxes and jars from the closet; whilst we,
terrified almost out of our wits, sat trembling behind one of them, not
daring to stir, yet dreading the cat's approach every moment.

We were soon, however, obliged to move our quarters, for the lady taking
down the very jar which concealed us, we were forced (without knowing
where we were) to jump down instantly. In vain we sought all round the
room for some avenue whereat we might escape; the apartment was too well
fitted up to admit the smallest crack; and we must then certainly have
been destroyed, had we not, with uncommon presence of mind, ran up the
back of the lady's gown, by which means she lost sight of us, and gave
us an opportunity to make our escape, as she opened the door to order
the cat to be brought in. We seized the lucky moment, and, dropping
from her gown, fled with the utmost haste out at the house door, which
happened to be wide open; and I, without once looking behind me, ran on
till I discovered a little crack in the brick wall, which I entered, and
which, after many turnings and windings, brought me to this house, where
I have now continued skulking about in its different apartments for
above a month; during which time I have not heard the least tidings of
my beloved brother Longtail. Whether, therefore, any mischief befell him
as he followed me, or whether he entered the crack with me and then lost
sight of me, I know not; but in vain have I sought him every day since
my arrival within t