The Tale of Two Bad Mice - Beatrix Potter [1]
WITH Tom Thumb’s assistance she carried the bolster downstairs, and across the hearthrug. It was difficult to squeeze the bolster into the mouse-hole; but they managed it somehow.
THEN Hunca Munca went back and fetched a chair, a book-case, a bird-cage, and several small odds and ends. The book-case and the bird-cage refused to go into the mouse-hole.
HUNCA MUNCA left them behind the coal-box, and went to fetch a cradle.
HUNCA MUNCA was just returning with another chair, when suddenly there was a noise of talking outside upon the landing. The mice rushed back to their hole, and the dolls came into the nursery.
WHAT a sight met the eyes of Jane and Lucinda!
Lucinda sat upon the upset kitchen stove and stared; and Jane leant against the kitchen dresser and smiled — but neither of them made any remark.
THE book-case and the bird-cage were rescued from under the coal-box — but Hunca Munca has got the cradle, and some of Lucinda’s clothes.
SHE also has some useful pots and pans, and several other things.
THE little girl that the doll’s-house belonged to, said — “I will get a doll dressed like a policeman!”
BUT the nurse said — “I will set a mouse-trap!”
SO that is the story of the two Bad Mice, — but they were not so very very naughty after all, because Tom Thumb paid for everything he broke.
He found a crooked sixpence under the hearthrug; and upon Christmas Eve, he and Hunca Munca stuffed it into one of the stockings of Lucinda and Jane.
AND very early every morning — before anybody is awake — Hunca Munca comes with her dust-pan and her broom to sweep the Dollies’ house!
THE END
FREDERICK WARNE
Published by the Penguin Group
Penguin Books Ltd, Registered Offices: 80 Strand,
London WC2R 0RL, England
Website: www.peterrabbit.com
First published by Frederick Warne 1904
This electronic edition first published 2010
New reproductions copyright ©Frederick Warne & Co., 2002
Original copyright in text and illustrations ©Frederick Warne & Co., 1904
Frederick Warne & Co. is the owner of all rights, copyrights and trademarks in the Beatrix Potter character names and illustrations.
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-0-72-326564-1
Table of Contents
Cover
Title Page
The Tale Of Two Bad Mice
Copyright Page