صفحة 109 من 626

We will set it beneath the altar, and not touch it until we are

really in need of it.' So the pot was placed in safety, but it

was not long before the cat had a great yearning for it, and said

to the mouse: 'I want to tell you something, little mouse; my

cousin has brought a little son into the world, and has asked me

to be godmother; he is white with brown spots, and I am to hold

him over the font at the christening. Let me go out today, and

you look after the house by yourself.' 'Yes, yes,' answered the

mouse, 'by all means go, and if you get anything very good to

eat, think of me. I should like a drop of sweet red christening

wine myself.' All this, however, was untrue; the cat had no

cousin, and had not been asked to be godmother. She went straight

to the church, stole to the pot of fat, began to lick at it, and

licked the top of the fat off.