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all gentlefolk were to behave like that family； I had rather be poor as I am；
than have all their riches； if that would make me act like them。' 'Very
true； Abraham；' replied his wife； 'that is what I say； and what I told Master
George this morning； for to be poor； if people do not become so through
their own extravagance； is no disgrace to any body： but to be haughty；
cruel； cross； and mischievous； is a disgrace to all who are so； let their rank
be as exalted as it may。'
Here the conversation was interrupted by the entrance of a man； who
begged Mr。 Flood to assist him in unloading his cart of flour； as his man
was gone out； and he could not do it by himself。 'Well； I will come and
help you； with all my heart；' said Flood； 'and so shall Tom too： will you；
my lad？ I cannot live without help myself； and if I do not assist others； I
am sure I shall not deserve any when I want it。' So saying； he left his
house； and his wife； after cleaning and putting in their proper places those
things which had been used at dinner； again sat down to her sewing。
Soon after the clock had struck six； the man and his son returned； and；
sitting round the fire； they passed the evening in social conversation； till
they went to bed； which was a little after eight； and they convinced me； by
their talk and behaviour； that happiness in this world depends far more
upon the temper and disposition of the heart； than upon any external
possessions； and that virtue； and a desire to be useful to others； afford far
greater satisfaction and peace of mind than any riches and grandeur can
possibly supply without such necessary qualifications。 After they were
all fallen asleep； we crept out； and； leaving the candle unmolested； which
was again placed on the tinder…box by the bed…side； we hastened into the
closet； where we regaled heartily； and devoured that part of the plum…cake
which Tom had very generously left for his sister Polly； who we found was
expected home the next day。
We then retired to our safe retreat； and thought we might venture to
stay for one more night's provisions without running any danger from our
too frequent return to the same place。 But in the morning we found our
scheme frustrated； for； on the woman's going to the closet to get her
breakfast； she observed the robbery which we had committed； and
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THE LIFE AND PERAMBULATIONS OF A MOUSE （1783…1784）
exclaimed； 'Some teasing mice have found their way into the closet： I
will borrow neighbour Savewell's trap to…night； and catch some of the
little toads； that I will！' After hearing this； it would have been madness to
make any further attempts： we therefore agreed to watch for an
opportunity； and escape on the very first that offered。 Accordingly； about
noon； when Mrs。 Flood was busily employed in making some pancakes；
we slipped by her unobserved； and crept out at the same hole by which we
first entered。 But no sooner were we in the open road； than we repented
our haste； and wished that we had continued where we were till the
darkness of the night might better have concealed us from the observation
of anyone。 We crept as close to the wall of the house （as far as it reached；
which was but a few paces） as we possibly could； and then stepped into a
little ditch； which we were soon obliged to leave again； as the water ran in
some parts of it almost up to the edge。
At length we reached a little cottage； which we were just entering；
when a cat that was sleeping unnoticed by us upon a chair； jumped down；
and would certainly have destroyed me （who happened to go first） had she
not at the same moment tried to catch my brother； and by that means
missed her aim； and so given us both an opportunity to escape； which we
did by scrambling behind a brick that a child had been playing with by the
side of the door。 Fortunately； the brick lay too close to the house for the
cat to get her paw behind it； so as to be able to reach us； though to avoid it
we were obliged to use the greatest precaution； as she could thrust it in a
little way； so that if we had gone one inch too near either end； she would
certainly have dragged us out by her talons。 In this dreadful situation did
we spend some hours； incessantly moving from one end of the brick to the
other； for the moment she had； by the entrance of her paw at one end；
driven us to the other； she stepped over； and again made us retreat。 Think
with what dreadful terror our little hearts must have been oppressed； to see
our mortal enemy so closely watching us； expecting every moment when
she shook the brick with her two forepaws in searching； and with her
mouth endeavoured to lift it up； that she would be so far able to effect her
purpose； as to make it impossible for us to escape her jaws。 But； happily
for us； it had somehow or other got so wedged that she could not move it
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THE LIFE AND PERAMBULATIONS OF A MOUSE （1783…1784）
to any distance； though it kept momentarily increasing our terrors； by
shaking as she strove to turn it。
From this state of horror； however； we were at length delivered by a
little boy of about two years old； who came out of the house； and taking
the cat up round its body with both hands； tottered away with it； and shut
the door。
Finding ourselves thus unexpectedly once more at liberty； we
determined to make use of it； by seeking some safer retreat； at least； till
night should better hide us from public view。 Terrified almost out of our
senses； we crept from behind the brick； and； after running a few yards；
slipped under the folding doors of a barn； and soon concealed ourselves
amidst a vast quantity of threshed corn。 This appeared to us the most
desirable retreat that we had yet found； not only as it afforded such
immense plenty of food； but also as we could so easily hide ourselves
from the observation of any one： beside； as it did not appear to be a
dwelling…house； we could in security reside； free from any danger of traps；
or the cruelty of man。 We therefore congratulated each other； not