Page:Sparrow, the tramp (IA sparrowtramp00wess).pdf/14

 "You might have known it would," said Tom.

"I guess I'd better pick out a real hard lump next time," said Posy; and she made up her mind not to put that one in her mouth, so she only lapped it a little as she walked towards the canary's cage.

Just then a noise was heard from the china-closet, and Tom at once went to see what it was.

"Why, there's a mouse-hole right in the corner of that upper shelf," he said; "I thought it sounded like a mouse gnawing."

"Rats! rats!" called the parrot, whose cage hung in the window by the side of the canary's.

"You're mistaken, ma'am," said Tom; "the barn-cat doesn't give the rats a chance to come into the house,—they live in the barn."

"Rats!" again cried the parrot.