Маугли

           Goandlook,Nagaina!"

           Thebigsnaketurnedhalfaround,andsawtheeggontheveranda."Ah-h!Giveittome,"shesaid.

           Rikki-tikkiputhispawsoneoneachsideoftheegg,andhiseyeswereblood-red."Whatpriceforasnake’segg?Forayoungcobra?Forayoungkingcobra?Forthelast—theverylastofthebrood?Theantsareeatingalltheothersdownbythemelonbed."

           Nagainaspunclearround,forgettingeverythingforthesakeoftheoneegg.Rikki-tikkisawTeddy’sfathershootoutabighand,catchTeddybytheshoulder,anddraghimacrossthelittletablewiththetea-cups,safeandoutofreachofNagaina.

           "Tricked!Tricked!Tricked!Rikk-tck-tck!"chuckledRikki-tikki."Theboyissafe,anditwasI—I—IthatcaughtNagbythehoodlastnightinthebathroom."Thenhebegantojumpupanddown,allfourfeettogether,hisheadclosetothefloor."Hethrewmetoandfro,buthecouldnotshakemeoff.Hewasdeadbeforethebigmanblewhimintwo.Ididit!Rikki-tikki-tck-tck!Comethen,Nagaina.Comeandfightwithme.Youshallnotbeawidowlong."

           NagainasawthatshehadlostherchanceofkillingTeddy,andtheegglaybetweenRikki-tikki’spaws."Givemetheegg,Rikki-tikki.Givemethelastofmyeggs,andIwillgoawayandnevercomeback,"shesaid,loweringherhood.

           "Yes,youwillgoaway,andyouwillnevercomeback.ForyouwillgototherubbishheapwithNag.