The beet tears melt her back once more Into the child she was before. She does not stay to wipe her eyes, But home with eager feet she hies. "Oh mother, mother dear," cries she, "Henceforth a cleaner child I'll be."

A kitten once lived all alone In a little yellow house; It lived on crusts of bread and cheese, And now and then a mouse.

A robber rat lived in a wood— A gloomy wood—close by; He had sharp teeth, and a pointed tail. And a wicked, restless eye.

To the yellow house the rat would come, And strike the door—knock! knock! The kitten's tail would stand on end, It gave him such a shock.

Then in the rat would boldly march. "What have you here?" he'd say; And then he would steal the bread and cheese, And carry it all away.

At last the kitten went to ask Advice of some old cat Who lived close by, and told her all About the robber rat.

The wise old grey cat scratched her ear; "I'll fix this rat," she said; So she pulled a night-cap over her ears And lay in the kitten's bed.