Page:Tales of the Punjab.pdf/41

Rh When they arrived at his hole, the Rat stepped forward with the greatest politeness and said, 'Welcome madam, to my humble abode! Pray step in, or if you will allow me, and as the passage is some what dark, I will show you the way.'

Whereupon he ran in first, but after a time, finding the bride did not follow, he put his nose out again,

saying testily, 'Well, madam, why don't you follow? Don't you know it's rude to keep your husband waiting?'

'May good sir,' laughed the handsome young bride, 'I can't squeeze into that little hole!'

The Rat coughed; then after a moment's thought he replied, 'There is some truth in your remarkyou are overgrown, and I suppose I shall have to build you a thatch somewhere. For to-night you cab rest under that wild plum-tree.'