ONE morning when she was busy in the Cave, the Woman blessed whoever had kept her baby quiet in the garden so long.

At that, the curtain of the cave bore witness to her hasty bargain, and parted to let the Cat march triumphantly into the cave.

The Woman scolded herself soundly, but that made Baby cry, until the Cat played with him and rubbed him, and he giggled himself to sleep. Then the Woman, unthinking, blessed the Cat again.

At that, the fire bore witness to her bargain, and blew forth a cloud of soot. When it cleared, there was the Cat by the fire. Tight-lipped, the Woman went to make supper.

‘Is that mouse’ inquired the Cat presently ‘part of your meal?’ The Woman screamed; but so expertly did the Cat dispatch the mouse that Woman could not stop herself praising his skill a third time.

At that the milk jug bore witness to her bargain, and cracked at the cat’s very paws.