lived. Aunt and Uncle Squeaky had gone to the city, but all the
cousins--Dot, Scamper, Wink and Wiggle, were at home. They were very
glad to see them. "Mother left us a nice lunch and we will have a
picnic together," planned Dot. Dot and Silver Ears looked almost
exactly alike. A stranger could hardly have told them apart. Silver
Ears had brought some squares of patch-work to sew. She was making a
new quilt for Baby Squealer's cradle.

"Let's sew first," said Silver Ears, "and then we can have fun all
the rest of the day."

"All right," agreed Dot. "Pa Squeaky always says, 'Work before play,
my dears.' I will finish the silk ties I am hemming for Wink and
Wiggle." So the pretty cousins sat down cosily together at their
tasks.

Scamper invited Limpy-toes and Buster to the apple closet where they
often played. Wink and Wiggle went along also.

"How nice the apples smell," said Buster.

"They taste good, too," answered Scamper. Then the five little mice
each chose a red apple to nibble.

"Aren't we glad we came, Limpy-toes?" cried Buster.

"It is good fun," said Limpy-toes. "What is that big yellow thing,
Scamper?"

"That's our play-house," cried Wink and Wiggle.