Their little hearts beat very fast, for they knew if
they were discovered they would have to run for their lives; but the
house was so still they gained courage, and crept along over a thick
carpet until they came to a stairway.
"What shall we do now?" whispered Hickory to his brothers.
"Let 's go down," replied Dock.
So, very carefully, they descended the stairs and reached the hallway
of the house, and here they were much surprised by all they saw.
There was a big rack for hats and coats, and an umbrella stand, and
two quaintly carved chairs, and, most wonderful of all, a tall clock
that stood upon the floor and ticked out the minutes in a grave and
solemn voice.
When the little mice first heard the ticking of the clock they were
inclined to be frightened, and huddled close together upon the bottom
stair.
"What is it?" asked Dickory, in an awed whisper. "I do n't know,"
replied Hickory, who was himself rather afraid.
"Is it alive?" asked Dock.
"I do n't know," again answered Hickory.
Then, seeing that the clock paid no attention to them, but kept
ticking steadily away and seemed to mind its own business, they
plucked up courage and began running about.
Presently Dickory uttered a delighted squeal that brought his brothers
to his side. There in a corner lay nearly the half of a bun which
little May had dropped when nurse carried her upstairs to bed.
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