the
trunks and the dogs), clearing away rubbish and unpacking furniture,
while Mrs. Posset and the maids were busy in the house. He had been
rather glad to have the children out of the way for a little while, but
now that it was six o'clock, and tea was laid in the dining-room, and a
bright wood fire blazing in the great open fireplace, he began to wonder
where his chickens were.

"Bless me!" he said. "Where is the rattle?" and opening a bag, he took
out a huge watchman's rattle, and sprung it briskly, making the strange
loud noise that Puff and Fluff had heard down by the spring. Presently
he heard a voice, then another, and then another. "Here I am, Uncle!"
"What is the matter, Uncle Jack?" "Hi! supper! come on, Brighteyes!" and
up scampered from all directions, the four mice in about as pretty a
plight as mice can well be in. Brighteyes was panting for breath and
limping, one shoe gone, no hat, and any number of scratches. Puff and
Fluff were wet, and muddy, and forlorn beyond description; while with
Nibble the only question was, which was bigger, his knickerbockers or
the hole in them.

Uncle Jack held up his hands in amazement, and then sat down on a
packing-box and laughed till the tears ran down his cheeks. "Oh! you
children, you children!" he cried. "This is what comes of bringing you
to the country to keep you out of mischief. Go in to Mrs. Posset at
once, give her my compliments, and tell her I wish her joy of you. And
as soon as you are fit to be seen, come down to supper, or Downy and I
will eat it all up."

Away went the mice into the house and upstairs, where Mrs. Posset
scolded, and brushed, and washed, and wiped and mended to an alarming
extent. The trunk in which Nibble's clothes were packed had not yet
arrived, so the young gentleman had to wait after the others were gone
down to tea, while Mary, the housemaid, mended his trousers.

[Illustration]

Bread and butter and raspberry jam are always good, but they must have
seemed particularly good that evening to those five hungry mice. Little
Downy soon finished his bowl of bread and milk, and was just thinking
about some jam when Mrs. Posset appeared in the doorway. I have a great
respect for Mrs. Posset. She is very faithful, and as fond of the mice
as if they were her own children; but I do wish she would not wear green
and yellow ribbons in her cap. It makes her look so like a stout elderly
daffodil, but that is neither here nor there. She appea