Page:Sparrow, the tramp (IA sparrowtramp00wess).pdf/234

 The house-kittens might have given her some information on the subject, if she could have understood their language,—for their mother had told them, early in the evening, not to be alarmed if she were out all night, as she had very important business to attend to; but Hannah only thought they were mewing for their mother, when they tried to make her understand. So Hannah went up to bed, where Nancy was already sound asleep in her little cot-bed and happily unconscious of the deep plot laid for her by the evil-minded old rat.

"You look innocent enough," said Hannah, as her eyes fell on the sleeping child, who was smiling in her sleep at some pleasant dream; "but I don't trust you,—appearances are too suspicious."

Soon Hannah too was fast asleep, and the house silent.

Then, when everything was quiet, old Graywhisker, with Hannah's silver thimble