It took a great while to get 32 little mice families settled in the large palace. The men had to tunnel a total of 17 new rooms, larger then the others, so the bigger families could all stay together.

Missy, and some of the other lady mice, busied themselves preparing a luncheon. Missy's sandwhiches had done nicely for the present, but they knew all too well that little mice get dreadfully hungry in but a short time.

They were just beginning to settle down from the hubub and confusion of the morning when one of the elder mice whispered a hurried something into the mayor's ear, who turned instantly ashen.

   "AHEM!" he said in the biggest mouse voice he could muster, "AHEM! Please, lead all of the babies and young children upstairs. Mrs. Wintergreen and Old..I mean Mrs. Jenny Lou, would you mind accompanying them?"

The two mice mentioned rose and followed the string of hungry children up the large, winding staircase.

   "Now, Missy would you mind taking them luncheon? We have a very important matter to discuss at once! The cat has been sighted." A rippled gasp was heard throughout the dining hall. Silvie stood up.

   "Fellow citizens of Maple Ridge, I am proud to say that my house is strong. My grandparents lived here and so did their parents. Our doors are too small for a large cat to get in!" A cheer arose from the people seated on maple wood chairs around the shiny chestnut table.

"But! A word of warning my friends! We have not much food in the Palace itself. We must make dangerous trips to the food store in Thistle Square. Now, my friends, let us plan carefully our way of living until this unwelcomed guest of ours leaves us for awhile!"

To be continued. Comments please!

Me