"I do not think"--said Samuel Whiskers,
pausing to take a look at Tom Kitten--"I
do NOT think it will be a good pudding. It
smells sooty."

Anna Maria was about to argue the point,
when all at once there began to be other
sounds up above--the rasping noise of a
saw; and the noise of a little dog, scratching
and yelping!


The rats dropped the rolling-pin, and
listened attentively.

"We are discovered and interrupted,
Anna Maria; let us collect our property,--
and other people's,--and depart at once."

"I fear that we shall be obliged to leave
this pudding."


"But I am persuaded that the knots would
have proved indigestible, whatever you may
urge to the contrary."

"Come away at once and help me to tie up
some mutton bones in a counterpane," said
Anna Maria. "I have got half a smoked