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CAT once made the acquaintance of a Mouse, and she said so much to it about her love and friendship that at last the Mouse agreed to go into partnership and live with her.

‘We must take precautions for the winter,’ said the Cat, ‘or we shall suffer from hunger. You, little Mouse, dare not venture everywhere, and in the end you will get me into a fix.’

So the good advice was followed, and a pot of fat was purchased. They did not know where to keep it, but, after much deliberation, the Cat said, ‘I know no place where it would be safer than in the church; nobody dare venture to take anything there. We will put it under the altar, and will not touch it till we are obliged to.’

So the pot was deposited in safety; but, before long, the Cat began to hanker after it, and said to the Mouse:

‘Oh, little Mouse, my cousin has asked me to be godmother. She has brought a son into the world. He is white, with brown spots; and I am to hold him at the font. Let me go out to-day, and you stay alone to look after the house.’

‘Oh yes,’ said the Mouse, ‘by all means go; and if you have anything nice to eat, think of me. I would gladly have a drop of sweet raspberry wine myself.’