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 "But she's kind and good," answered the canary.

Although this conversation took place between the birds, to the children it seemed as if the canary sang his usual song and Polly chattered in her accustomed way.

Just then Mr. and Mrs. Winton appeared, and the family took their places at the breakfast-table.

Soon a slight rattling was heard among the dishes in the china-closet, and Mr. Winton cautiously approached the closet door and suddenly opened it. A large rat whisked into the hole Tom had discovered.

"We never had a rat in the house before," said Mr. Winton, as he returned to his seat; "I am afraid the house-cat doesn't do her duty. I never thought her so good a ratter as the barn-cat."

"Michael must stop up the hole at once with broken glass and mortar," said Mrs. Winton; "I can't have rats in the house."