the Emperor of Japan_ 295

_The True Nightingale sings to the Emperor_ 299

_Hadvor burns the Lion's Skin_ 306

'_Don't look at things that aren't intended for
the likes of you_' 309

_Down the Drain_ 310

_And that was the End_ 312

'_Then they oiled the corners of their mouths_' 314

_Hans fills his Pocket with the Mud_ 315

'_The reporters giggled,' &_. 317

_THE CAT AND THE MOUSE IN PARTNERSHIP_

A cat had made acquaintance with a mouse, and had spoken so much of
the great love and friendship she felt for her, that at last the Mouse
consented to live in the same house with her, and to go shares in the
housekeeping. 'But we must provide for the winter or else we shall
suffer hunger,' said the Cat. 'You, little Mouse, cannot venture
everywhere in case you run at last into a trap.' This good counsel was
followed, and a little pot of fat was bought. But they did not know
where to put it. At length, after long consultation, the Cat said, 'I
know of no place where it could be better put than in the church. No
one will trouble to take it away from there. We will hide it in a
corner, and we won't touch it till we are in want.' So the little pot
was placed in safety; but it was not long before the Cat had a great
longing for it, and said to the Mouse, 'I wanted to tell you, little
Mouse, that my cousin has a little son, white with brown spots, and
she wants me to be godmother to it. Let me go out to-day, and do you
take care of the house alone.'

[Illustration]

'Yes, go certainly,' replied the Mouse, 'and when you eat anything
good, think of me; I should very much like a drop of the red
christening wine.'

But it was all untrue. The Cat had no cousin, and had not been asked
to be godmother. She went straight to the church, slunk to the little
pot of fat, began to lick it, and licked the top off. Then she took a
walk on the roofs of the town, looked at the view, stretched herself
out in the sun, and licked her lips whenever she thought of the little
pot of fat. As soon as it was evening she went home again.

'Ah, here you are again!' said the Mouse; 'you must certainly have had
an enjoyable da