`` Oh , dear ! it rains ; and we ca n't go fairy-hunting at all , '' said Daisy next morning , as the patter on the window-pane woke her up , and Aunt Wee came in to dress her . `` Yes , we can , dear ; jump up , and see what a funny place I 'll take you to . '' Daisy thought the rain would be a capital excuse for lying in bed ; for she still liked to cuddle and drowse in her cosey , warm nest . But she was curious to know where the curious place was ; so she got up and followed . `` Why , Aunt Wee , this is the garret ; and there is n't any thing nice or funny here , '' she said , as they climbed the stairs , and came into the big attic , filled with all manner of old things . `` Is n't there ? We 'll soon see . '' And so they did : for Aunt Wee began to play ; and presently Daisy was shouting with fun as she sat on an old saddle , with a hair-covered trunk for a horse , a big old-fashioned bonnet on her head , and a red silk petticoat for a habit . Then they went to sea in a great chest , and got wrecked on a desert island , where they built a fort with boxes and bags , hunted bears with rusty guns , and had to eat dried berries , herbs and nuts ; for no other food could be found . Aunt Wee got an old fiddle , and had a dancing-school , where Daisy capered till she was tired . So they rummaged out some dusty books , and looked at pictures so quietly that a little mouse came out of a drawer and peeped about , thinking no one was there . `` Let 's find the nest , since we do n't find any fairy , '' said Wee ; and , opening the drawer , she turned over the things till she came to a pair of old velvet shoes ; and there in the toe of one , nicely cuddled under a bit of flannel , lay four pink mites , which woke up , and stretched their tiny legs , and squeaked such small squeaks one could hardly hear them . `` How cunning they are ! I wish they would let me put them with the kits , and have a nursery full of babies . Would n't it be nice to see them all grow up ? '' said Daisy . `` I 'm afraid they would n't grow up , if Mrs. Purr lived with them , '' began Wee , but got no further ; for just then the cat bounced into the drawer , and ate up the mouselings in four mouthfuls . Daisy screamed ; the mother-mouse gave a doleful squeak , and ran into a hole ; and Aunt Wee tried to save the little ones . But it was too late : Purr had got her breakfast , and sat washing her face after it , as if she had enjoyed it .
`` Never mind , XXXXX : she would have caught them by and by , and it 's as well to have them taken care of before they do any harm .
Daisy Purr cosey fairy-hunting garret mites morning mouselings petticoat squeaks