ore this large
hole in it. I was so vexed.

_Kitty._ Enough to make you vexed, indeed. But you seem to have
got a squirrel just as pretty as Tom was.

_Nancy._ And we got it in the oddest manner. My aunt was walking
in the garden, and found it, with its chain on, entangled in the
bushes.

_Henry._ Exactly the way I found my dog. He was in the garden with
a great stick tied to his tail, all over mud and dirt; but I
cleaned him, and now I would not part with him for a guinea.

_Kitty._ Suppose, Nancy, we let him out: I think he seems very
tame.

_Nancy._ I really do not think he is very tame; we have not had
him a day yet.

_Fanny._ Well! but if he was to be let out, tame or not tame, what
do you think he would do?

_Henry._ Why jump off, and run away, to be sure. Are you such a
stupid creature, not to know that?

Here the conversation was interrupted by a squeak from the further
corner of the room. The case was this: Kitty, like an obstinate
girl, had come to my cage, and, while Nancy was looking another
way, opened my door; upon which I walked out very composedly, and
should have staid on the table, had she not screamed in such a
manner as quite startled me. I jumped off, and ran under her
chair. The whole company started up, and ran toward Kitty, who
began to cry, conscious of its being her fault; but presently
Nancy desired her not to cry, as there was no harm done; for I
had run into the dear girl's hand, the moment she stooped to try
to catch me. The young folks now departed. When I was put into
my cage again, (after having received two kisses from Nancy,
for being so tame,) she brought me some food, and let me take a
little rest after my fright. In short, I lived a fortnight in
the happiest manner I could have wished. But, alas! one day, as
Nancy was playing with me, (without my chain,) the murderer of my
predecessor entered. I was so shocked, that in two jumps I was out
of the window, which two jumps I shall regret as long as I live;
for I never was happier than at the good Mrs. Grevilles. I ran,
as fast as I possibly could, close by the wall, till I came to
some fields, where I climbed up a tree, and stayed in it till
night; when a company of thieves coming to divide their spoils,
laid a cloth and went to supper, which, when they had finished,
they went to sleep on their backs, all in a row. I then ventured
to come down, and see what I could find to eat; which was nothing
but a piece of bread, which