Мауглі

           "Ihavesettleditall;"andthenTeddy’smotherpickedhimupfromthedustandhuggedhim,cryingthathehadsavedTeddyfromdeath,andTeddy’sfathersaidthathewasaprovidence,andTeddylookedonwithbigscaredeyes.Rikki-tikkiwasratheramusedatallthefuss,which,ofcourse,hedidnotunderstand.Teddy’smothermightjustaswellhavepettedTeddyforplayinginthedust.Rikkiwasthoroughlyenjoyinghimself.

           Thatnightatdinner,walkingtoandfroamongthewine-glassesonthetable,hemighthavestuffedhimselfthreetimesoverwithnicethings.ButherememberedNagandNagaina,andthoughitwasverypleasanttobepattedandpettedbyTeddy’smother,andtositonTeddy’sshoulder,hiseyeswouldgetredfromtimetotime,andhewouldgooffintohislongwarcryof"Rikk-tikk-tikki-tikki-tchk!"

           Teddycarriedhimofftobed,andinsistedonRikki-tikkisleepingunderhischin.Rikki-tikkiwastoowellbredtobiteorscratch,butassoonasTeddywasasleephewentoffforhisnightlywalkroundthehouse,andinthedarkheranupagainstChuchundra,themusk-rat,creepingaroundbythewall.Chuchundraisabroken-heartedlittlebeast.Hewhimpersandcheepsallthenight,tryingtomakeuphismindtorunintothemiddleoftheroom.Buthenevergetsthere.

           "Don’tkillme,"saidChuchundra,almostweeping."Rikki-tikki,don’tkillme!"

           "Doyouthinkasnake-killerkillsmuskrats?"saidRikki-tikkiscornfully.

           "Thosewhokillsnakesgetkilledbysnakes,"saidChuchundra,moresorrowfullythanever.