r pigs in pen all shut up," answered Ettie.

"What a shame!" said Master Tom. "I say, Mrs. Pig, wouldn't you like
your little piggies to have a run this fine day?

"There's grass around in plenty
For the little ones to eat,
And in the kitchen-garden
There's cabbage for a treat.

Now, Ettie, get out of the way; I am going to open the door of the
pigstye."

And Master Tom threw the door wide open, and out rushed not only the ten
little pigs, but Mrs. Pig herself. They came with such a rush that
Ettie, not getting out of the way quickly enough, was knocked down. But
she did not cry; for she was used to falling in her expeditions with
Tom.

Through the garden gate, into the garden, over the beds, went the pigs,
and after them went Master Tom and Ettie, driving them until they went
into the middle of the crisp early cabbages.

"Now then, eat to your hearts' content," said Master Tom. "Eat away, eat
away! How they do enjoy themselves; there won't be a cabbage left. Won't
Joseph be surprised. Let us get up into the great pear-tree and watch
them. You can climb up if I push you."

"Yes," responded Ettie, grasping the trunk and putting her foot on a
jutting-out knob.

"That's famous," said Master Tom, as he helped his little sister up
until he landed her in one of the highest boughs.

"Isn't it nice?" said he.

And he began swaying the branches to and fro, whilst Ettie held on
tightly and laughed with delight.

"Oh dear! oh dear! how can the pigs have got in?"

"Oh dear! oh dear!" cried Master Tom from the pear-tree, mimicking the
gardener's voice.

"Oh dear! oh dear!" cried Ettie in her shrill voice.

"Oh dear! oh dear!" said Joseph in dismay; "the children up in the
pear-tree such a height; they'll tumble down and break their necks. Oh,
Master Tom, Master Tom, whatever did you go up there for, and take
little Missy with you? What shall I do?--the pigs, the children, the
children, the pigs! I daren't leave the children; and yet if I don't go
after the pigs the garden will be ruined. Oh, my lettuces, my peas, my
cauliflowers, my fine young cabbages!"

And then Joseph suddenly raised his voice and shouted as loud as he
could--

"Help! help! help! Hallo! hallo! hallo!"

In a few seconds out came several of the servants, and amongst them was
Nurse. "Oh! what is the matter?" she cried; "is it Master Tom again?"

"I should think it was," said Joseph; "he's in the pear-tree, and Miss
Ettie