went on their way.

15. Next they met a motherly old hen, who was busy in scratching up
food for her chickens; and White-paw asked, "Please, ma'am, are you a
mouse?" "We don't mind what folks call us," said the old hen, giving
them a friendly wink.

16. As they went on they learned a great many things about the world;
but as yet White-paw had not heard one word about a mouse-trap.

17. Having gone around the farm-yard, White-paw and his friend went
through the gate toward the house. Here they met the dog, and asked
the same question that they had asked before.

18. But the dog barked and snapped so that they could not make him
hear, and they ran away in terror.

LESSON XXVIII.

_WHAT WHITE-PAW SAW IN THE KITCHEN._

[Illustration]

1. In their haste the two friends bolted into the kitchen of the
farm-house, where an old tabby-cat lay dozing before the fire. But
when they came in she arose to meet them.

2. "What a polite fat mouse!" thought White-paw. "Please, ma'am--" But
pussy's eyes were fixed upon him with a horrid glare, and he could not
go on.

3. Alas! his poor little friend! There was a cry and a crunching of
bones, and White-paw just escaped through a hole into the pantry.

4. When he had in part got over his fright, he smelled toasted
cheese--something he had heard of but never tasted. He sniffed about,
and soon saw it in a little round hole.

5. By this time he was very hungry, and he reached out for the dainty
morsel; but there was a sudden click, and he turned back--but too
late! His tail and one of his legs were caught by the cruel teeth of a
trap.

6. He pulled with all his might, but could not get away. He heard a
little squeak, and an old mouse came limping up with only three legs.

7. "Pull hard, my son; better lose a leg and tail than your life. See!
I was caught like you. How came you here?" he asked.

8. "I came to see the world, and 'tis a terrible place!" As White-paw
spoke, he pulled himself free, but left one paw and the point of his
tail in the trap.

9. The two hopped off together, and, after some friendly advice from
the old mouse, White-paw limped away to his home, and soon found
himself by his mother's side, where he could have his wounds dressed,
and rest in peace.

LESSON XXIX.

_WHITE-PAW'S ACCOUNT OF THE GREAT
WORLD._

[Illustration]

1. "My dear son, what is the world like?" asked Mrs. Mouse, after she
had hugged White-paw, and set his supper