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that I had ever seen in my life； I was certain was the same destructive
animal to our race； which I had frequently heard my mother describe。 I
therefore made all possible haste back to the closet； and warning
Brighteyes of our danger； we instantly returned by the same way which we
came； to our two brothers； whom we found waiting for us； and wondering
at our long absence。 We related to them the dainty cheer which we had
met with； and agreed to conduct them thither in the evening。
Accordingly； as soon as it grew towards dusk； we climbed up the wall； and
all four together attacked the plum…cake； which no one had touched since
we left it； but scarcely had we all seated ourselves round it； than on a
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sudden the closet…door opened； and a woman entered。 Away we all
scampered as fast as possible； but poor Brighteyes； who could not move
quite so fast on account of his sore toe； and who likewise having advanced
farther into the cake； was discovered before he could reach the crack by
which we entered。 The woman； who had a knife in her hand； struck at
him with it； at the same time exclaiming； 'Bless me； nurse； here is a mouse
in the closet！' Happily； she missed her aim； and he only received a small
wound on the tip of his tail。 This interruption sadly alarmed us； and it
was above an hour before we could have courage to venture back； when
finding everything quiet； except Mrs。 Nurse's singing to her child； we
again crept out； and once more surrounded the cake。 We continued
without any further alarm till we were perfectly satisfied； and then retired
to a little distance behind the wainscot； determined there to sleep； and to
breakfast on the cake the next day。
Early in the morning I waked； and calling my brothers； we all marched
forward； and soon arrived at the delightful cake； where we highly enjoyed
ourselves without the least disturbance； till our appetites were fully
satisfied。 We then retired； took a little run round some other parts of the
house； but met with nothing worth relating。 At noon we again made our
way into the closet； intending to dine on the dish on which we breakfasted；
but； to our no small mortification； the delicious dainty was removed。
This you may be sure was a sad disappointment； yet as we were not
extremely hungry； we had time to look about for more。 We were not long
in finding it； for upon the same shelf from which the cake was removed；
there was a round tin box； the lid of which was not quite close shut down；
into this we all crept； and were highly regaled with some nice lumps of
sugar。 But it would be endless to enumerate all the various repasts which
we met with in this closet； sometimes terrified by the entrance of people；
and sometimes comfortably enjoying ourselves without alarm： it is
sufficient to inform you； that； unmindful of our mother's advice； we
continued to live upon the contents of the same cupboard for above a week；
when； one evening； as we were as usual hastening to find our suppers；
Softdown； who happened to be first； ran eagerly to a piece of cheese；
which he saw hanging before him。 'Come along；' said he； 'here is some
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THE LIFE AND PERAMBULATIONS OF A MOUSE （1783…1784）
nice cheese； it smells most delightfully good！' Just as he spoke these
words； before any of us came up to him； a little wooden door on a sudden
dropped down； and hid him and the cheese from our sight。
It is impossible to describe our consternation and surprise upon this
occasion； which was greatly increased when we advanced near the place；
at seeing him （through some little wire bars） confined in a small box；
without any visible way for him to get out； and hearing him in the most
moving accents beg us to assist him in procuring his liberty。 We all ran
round and round his place of confinement several times； but not the least
crack or opening could we discover； except through the bars； which being
of iron； it was impossible for us to break or bend。 At length we
determined to try to gnaw through the wood…work close at the edge； which
being already some little distance from one of the bars； we hoped； by
making the opening a little wider； he would escape： accordingly we all
began； he on the inside； and we all on the out； and by our diligence had
made some very considerable progress； when we were interrupted by the
entrance of Mrs。 Nurse with the child in her arms。
Upon the sight of her； though much grieved to leave our brother in his
distress； yet fearing instant death would be the fate of all of us if we stayed；
to preserve our own existence； we retired as quick as possible； but not
without her seeing some of us； for we heard her say to herself； or to the
babe in her arms； 'I declare； this closet swarms with mice； they spoil
everything one puts here。' Then taking up the box in which was poor
Softdown （and which I afterwards learned was called a trap） she carried it
intO the room。 I crept softly after her； to see what would be the fate of
my beloved brother。 But what words can express my horror； when I saw
her holding it in one hand close to the candle； whilst in the other she held
the child； singing to her with the utmost composure； and bidding her to
look at the mousy！ mousy！
What were the actions or sensations of poor Softdown at that dreadful
moment I know not： but my own anguish； which it is impossible to
describe； was still augmented every moment by seeing her shake the trap
almost topsy…turvy； then blow through the trap at one end； at which times I
saw the dear creature's tail come out between the wires on the contrary
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THE LIFE AND PERAMBULATIONS OF A MOUSE （1783…1784）
side； as he was striving； I suppose； to retreat from her。 At length； after
she had thus tortured him for some time； she set the trap on the table； so
close to a large fire； that I am sure he must have been much incommoded
by the heat； and began to undress her child。
Then hearing somebody go by the door； she cried out； 'Who is there？ is
it you； Betty？ if it is； I wish you would come and take down the mouse…
trap； for I have caught a mouse。' Betty instantly obeyed her call； and
desired to know what she wanted。 'I want you to take down the mouse…
trap；' she replied； 'for I cannot leave the child。 I am glad that I have got it；
I am sure； for the closet swarms so； there is no such thing as bearing it。
They devour everything： I declare they have eaten up a whole pound of
sugar； which cost me elevenpence； sugar is now so monstrously dear！
indeed the man made a favour to let me have it for that； only； he said； as
our family were good customers； and I was but a servant； he would take no
more。 And enough too I thought it was； to have only a penny back in
change out of a whole shilling for one pound of sugar： and then to think
of the poison mice to have it all； but I will break their filthy necks。 Do；
Betty； pray take the trap down； and return with it as soon as you can； and I
will set it again： for I dare say I shall catch another before I go to bed；
for I heard some more rustling among the things。' 'O lauk！' replied Betty；
'yon do not think that I will take down the trap； do you？ I would not touch
it for twenty pounds。 I am always frightened； and ready to die at the
sight of a mouse。 Once； when I was a girl； I had one thrown in my face；
and ever since I have always been scared out of my wits at them； and if
ever I see one running loose； as I did one night in the closet below stairs；
where the candles are kept； I scream as if I was being killed。' 'Why then；'
answered Nurse； 'I think you behave like a great fool； for what harm co