1. I was afraid of losing my perch1, her nice white cap, on which I had now grown to feel quite at home. It seemed as if it were turning into ashes like those in the grate, and it felt too hot.
2. I flew up, for I could sit there no longer. And then I pitched on the top of Mr. Sutton's head, just in the bald place, and stamped with one foot as hard as I could.
3. I also ran about and tickled2 him a good deal. He woke up in a great hurry,[Pg 97] for he raised his hand to drive me away, and in doing so, gave himself a smart tap.
4. This roused him. And he awoke just in time to save the cap and the hair of his wife from being in a blaze of fire.
5. "Dear, dear, dear!" said he. "Why, my love, what an escape you have had!"
"Nonsense, my dear," said the old lady, "I have not been asleep, I assure you." But it was of no use for her to say and think this.
6. There was the burnt cap on her head. "I was not quite asleep," said she. "Oh no, neither was I," said her husband, laughing.
7. And then, looking grave, he said, "You were in great danger though, my dear. I read only a day or two ago, of an old lady who had been burnt to death from setting her cap on fire."
8. I had been in great danger too, though no one seemed to think of that. What between the flames, and the knock that Mr. Sutton aimed at me, I might have been killed.
9. Thomas was now heard coming up the[Pg 98] gravel3 walk. He had been sent to fetch Rose home. She was full of news to tell, about all the things she had seen and heard that day.
10. "It is a g............