74 



THE RAT 



the ancient remnants of an ancestral feud, for he 

 whispered anxiously that he feared that the end 

 might come at any moment, as he had heard a fat 

 farmer saying that the birds seemed to be getting 

 at it terribly, and that it was quite ripe enough to 

 cut. That was quite enough for me, so I went off 

 home, after a polite word of thanks to the old 

 rabbit, and warned my wife, which was rather 

 forgiving on my part, after the nasty remarks which 

 she had recently addressed to me, and, shouting a 

 parting word of advice to Mrs. Mouse, slunk away 

 quietly and sorrowfully into the hedgerow. 



I was not exactly pleased with those stupid and 

 greedy finches and sparrows, who had given the show 

 away by always coming in clouds and pulling the 

 corn about. We might have enjoyed our life of peace 

 for another week, or even ten days, and I vowed to 

 take vengeance if ever the chance came in my way. 

 But there was nothing to be done except make the 

 best of it, and be thankful for a timely warning. 

 And as I am now at last to make a more intimate 

 acquaintance with man — and that always spells 

 trouble and sorrow — it seems only right to close this 

 chapter with a long sigh of regret for the peaceful 

 days that I was destined not to enjoy again until 

 I had passed through the furnace of many afflictions. 



