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 know, but I wouldn't cry;" and two great tears rolled down Posy's cheeks as she spoke.

Nancy and Tom wiped the little hands very tenderly, and Tom's praise of her fortitude made the smarting much easier to bear; and in a few minutes the three children were on their way to the barn again.

On the barn-floor lay a large rat, gray around the nose from age, and nearly as large as the barn-cat herself, who sat near by.

"He's an old fellow," said Michael; "ye can see that by the gray beard of him."

"Look at his long yellow teeth," said Tom, stooping to examine the rat more closely, "and one of them is broken off. I guess 'twas done in a fight, don't you, Michael?"

"It's as like as not," answered Michael.

"How pleased the cats seem to be!"