XXIV 



RATS AND MICE 



-■^HREE blind mice! Three blind 

 |\ mice ! See how they run, see 

 how they run ! " sang Dodo. 

 " That is, how they would run if 

 they could," cried Nat, as they 

 rushed into the wonder room 

 a little before tea time, carrying 

 a long cage rat-trap between 

 them. " Look ! five of such queer little things. They 

 are not house mice nor moles, nor like the pretty White- 

 footed Mouse that comes from under the hearth in 

 camp. See what blunt faces they have! What do 

 you think they are ? " 



" Meadow Mice," said the Doctor, " and a fine, healthy 

 lot of them, too. Where were they caught?" 



" Rod set the trap in Olive's pansy frame, because the 

 plants were bitten and he had seen a rat or two about 

 that side of the barn, and this morning when he looked 

 all these were in it. You can catch 'most anything in 

 one of these traps. Big or little, if it steps on the plat- 

 form it falls in," said Nat. "Stop fussing, and keep 

 still, so we can see what color you are." 



" A brownish-gray coat, a light vest, short tail, small 

 ears, and only pin-head eyes," said Olive, looking over 

 his shoulder. "It's a very stout Mouse, is it not, 



331 



