They are afraid . They dare not move , and if you come a step nearer I strike . '' `` Look at your eggs , '' said Rikki-tikki , `` in the melon bed near the wall . Go and look , Nagaina ! '' The big snake turned half around , and saw the egg on the veranda . `` Ah-h ! Give it to me , '' she said . Rikki-tikki put his paws one on each side of the egg , and his eyes were blood-red . `` What price for a snake 's egg ? For a young cobra ? For a young king cobra ? For the last -- the very last of the brood ? The ants are eating all the others down by the melon bed . '' Nagaina spun clear round , forgetting everything for the sake of the one egg . Rikki-tikki saw Teddy 's father shoot out a big hand , catch Teddy by the shoulder , and drag him across the little table with the tea-cups , safe and out of reach of Nagaina . `` Tricked ! Tricked ! Tricked ! Rikk-tck-tck ! '' chuckled Rikki-tikki .
`` The boy is safe , and it was I -- I -- I that caught Nag by the hood last night XXXXX the bathroom . ''
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