THE LONG-TAILED FIELD MOUSE 



' But a mouse isn't any good to you, Miss 

 Frances,' she answered. ' Besides, these " grey- 

 hound " mice do no end of harm, they all want 

 kiUing ! ' 



However, by begging and beseeching I got 

 my own way, and the dainty timid creature, 

 instead of being handed over to the tender 

 mercies of the cat, was left to me to do what 

 I liked with ; I even managed to get in addition 

 a very large jam jar from the cook. In this 

 I put hay for a bed and some bread for food, 

 and lastly the mouse, which nearly got away 

 as it was being pushed in ! — the bit of wire 

 netting which was to do duty as a cover being 

 only popped over the top just in time. After 

 the manner of its nervous kind the mouse im- 

 mediately sat up and began to wash its face. 

 More fascinated than ever I watched it intently, 

 its wee pink paws, its quick, dainty movements, 

 its large ears, and those great frightened eyes — 

 how could any one give such a lovely creature 

 to the cat ? 



For several days the mouse lived in its 

 somewhat narrow quarters, but it was well fed, 

 for I gave it every dainty that I could think of, 

 and every day it grew sleeker and more grey- 

 hound-like. ' Greyhound mice ' the country 



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