228 



THE RAT 



unnecessary kids. You cannot expect a rat to do 

 more than that ; it would be unreasonable. 



You ask what I have to show as a counterpoise 

 to the mischief which is laid at my doors. Let me 

 see. It requires careful consideration. I suppose 

 that I provide food in my own carcass to a great 

 many starving folk — hawks, owls and weasels — who 

 would otherwise be driven to eat up your sacred 

 chickens. That is something, at any rate. Also, I 

 provide very pretty sport for men and boys and 

 dogs — not for girls ; if you love me, spare me that 

 indignity — and sport can be enjoyed in many ways : 

 sticks, half-bricks, catapults, worryings after a good 

 race for life, traps of wire, of string, of iron, of 

 stones, sly poisons, subtle pit-falls — I have tried 

 them all, and so far I have escaped them all ; I 

 might almost say I have enjoyed them all. And 

 over and above all this, I am one of the scavengers 

 of the world. I devour and otherwise clear out of 

 the way a lot of refuse and filth which, but for my 

 efforts, would cause you a great deal of trouble 

 and you cannot have your refuse cleared away 

 without paying for it, can you ? 



But I do not think that I wish to base my 

 claims for leave to exist altogether on these points. 

 I cannot help feeling that I am a good fellow and 



