203 



A VICTIM OF CIRCUMSTANCES. 



Once there had been six little brothers tently. I am sure he can be looking for 



and sisters, six little fluffy, plush-covered nothing but baby mice," and she looked 



creatures with tiny silken ears of which tenderly at Fluffy, who was listening in- 



Madam Field Mouse had been so proud terestedly. 



it had been only a delight to take long But Mr. Field Mouse only continued to 



trips over the farm for dainty tidbits, if comb, as if her remarks were not worthy 



only for the pleasure of seeing their of consideration. 



bright black eyes sparkle as they speed- She looked indignantly at him for a 



ily devoured them. moment, and continued in a louder, more 



Once there had been six but now there emphatic tone of voice : "Have you no- 

 were only three. Yesterday morning ticed, Mr. Field Mouse, that only three 

 there had been four, and the morning be- of our precious darlings are here ? Per- 

 fore, five. Each night found one less to haps you can tell me where Fatty has 

 snuggle down in the fluffy bed of corn gone; he was here yesterday morning. 

 stalks, which Madam, their mother, had You will remember I left them in your 

 carefully shredded lest there be found charge while I went to fetch some buck- 

 something which should hurt their tender wheat from the bin." 

 little limbs. He looked inquiringly about. "I have 



She looked about searchingly. Per- not missed any of them, my dear. You 



haps they had not all yet arisen, and she know I am not very good at arithmetic, 



poked the nest over carefully ; but her I only left them for a few moments, a very 



search was unrewarded and she looked few, while I went to fetch a bit of that 



sadly at Fluffy and Flossy and Flutter as sugar-cane stacked up by the fence. The 



she prepared to depart on her daily jour- juice is excellent and I felt faint," he said, 



ney, wondering which one she should apologetically. "If you are not going out 



never see again. Finally she turned to this morning I think I should relish a lit- 



Mr. Field Mouse, who was daintily comb- tie more." He smacked his lips appre- 



ing his long whiskers with his hind foot, ciatively. 



Mr. Field Mouse was very particular as "You are a gourmand, Mr. Field 



to his appearance, and never ventured Mouse," she said, severely, turning away 



abroad unless his toilet had been properly in disgust as he scampered off over the 



made. stubble. 



"I think, my dear, we must find a new "It is fortunate that I am able to take 



dwelling place," she said. "This corn care of myself and our children, too," she 



shock, although snug and having the ad- mused, digging her way to the ground 



vantage of containing an abundance of and beginning to throw out the dirt with 



homely food, is yet in danger of being her tiny paws. 



disturbed. I saw yesterday there were Soon a neat underground channel was 



boys at the other side of the field, tearing dug which led out into the open air, and 



down the shocks and pulling off the ears then Mrs. Field Mouse rested from her 



of corn, and I greatly fear they will con- labors and hungrily nibbled a bit of corn, 



tinue until our home will be destroyed "We can escape if worst comes to> 



and our darling children eaten by the worst, darlings," she said, reassuringly, 



cruel dog that sits by them, watching in- When Mr. Field Mouse returned he 



