Page:Sparrow, the tramp (IA sparrowtramp00wess).pdf/68

 what's more, the rats too. Here, old Gray-*whisker, you come any nearer and I'll bite off your tail!"

"I'd like to see you do it," snarled the old rat; and as he spoke he showed his long yellow teeth with one of them broken off, which gave him a very disagreeable expression. "I'd like to see you stop us from eating a few of your oats. You're too fat already; I heard Mr. Winton tell Michael so the other day."

"I should be loath to tell you what I've heard him say about you," answered Major angrily; "you wouldn't sleep very well nights if I did."

The old rat forgot his usual caution, and came nearer to Major's face than ever before; and Major, his patience gone, gave a sudden snort and pushed them all out of the manger with his nose. Then when he was left alone he went on eating his breakfast. After that he found himself becoming very