“‘I have plenty of courage,’ said Rudy; ‘but if you are with me, he must
be friendly, whether he says Yes or No.’
“So they turned to go in, and Rudy trod heavily on my tail; he certainly is
very clumsy. I mewed; but neither he nor Babette had any ears for me. They
opened the door, and entered together. I was before them, and jumped on
the back of a chair. I hardly know what Rudy said; but the miller flew into a
rage, and threatened to kick him out of the house. He told him he might go
to the mountains, and look after the chamois, but not after our little
Babette.”
“And what did they say? Did they speak?” asked the kitchen-cat.
“What did they say! why, all that people generally do say when they go a-
wooing-‘I love her, and she loves me; and when there is milk in the can for
one, there is milk in the can for two.’
“‘But she is so far above you,’ said the miller; ‘she has heaps of gold, as
you know. You should not attempt to reach her.’
“‘There is nothing so high that a man cannot reach, if he will,’ answered
Rudy; for he is a brave youth.
“‘Yet you could not reach the young eagle,’ said the miller, laughing.
‘Babette is higher than the eagle’s nest.’
“‘I will have them both,’ said Rudy.
“‘Very well; I will give her to you when you bring me the young eaglet
alive,’ said the miller; and he laughed till the tears stood in his eyes. ‘But
now I thank you for this visit, Rudy; and if you come to-morrow, you will
find nobody at home. Good-bye, Rudy.’
“Babette also wished him farewell; but her voice sounded as mournful as
the mew of a little kitten that has lost its mother.
“‘A promise is a promise between man and man,’ said Rudy. ‘Do not
weep, Babette; I shall bring the young eagle.’
