A FRIENDLY RAT 237 
them, until the breaking - point was reached and 
puss, in a sudden rage, let fly, dealing blow after 
blow with lightning rapidity and with all the claws 
out. The rat, shrieking with pain and terror, rushed 
out of the room and was never seen again, to the 
lasting grief of her mistress. But its memory will 
long remain like a fragrance in the cottage—perhaps 
the only cottage in all this land where kindly 
feelings for the rat are cherished. 
