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BUTTER AND MILK FROM THE FARM]
THE TALE OF
THE PIE ANDTHE PATTY-PAN
BYBEATRIX POTTER
_Author of__"The Tale of Peter Rabbit," &c._
_Pussy-cat sits by the fire--how should she be fair?__In walks the little dog--says "Pussy are you there?__How do you do Mistress Pussy? Mistress Pussy, how do you do?"__"I thank you kindly, little dog. I fare as well as you!"_
_Old Rhyme._
FREDERICK WARNE
FREDERICK WARNE
Penguin Books Ltd, Harmondsworth, Middlesex, EnglandViking Penguin Inc., 40 West 23rd Street, New York, New York 10010, U.S.A.Penguin Books Australia Ltd, Ringwood, Victoria, AustraliaPenguin Books Canada Ltd, 2801 John Street, Markham, Ontario, Canada L3R 1B4Penguin Books (N.Z.) Ltd, 182-190 Wairau Road, Auckland 10, New Zealand
First published 1905This impression 1985
Printed and bound in Great Britain byWilliam Clowes Limited, Beccles and London
Once upon a time there was a Pussy-cat called Ribby, who invited alittle dog called Duchess, to tea.
"Come in good time, my dear Duchess," said Ribby's letter, "and wewill have something so very nice. I am baking it in a pie-dish--apie-dish with a pink rim. You never tasted anything so good! And _you_shall eat it all! _I_ will eat muffins, my dear Duchess!" wroteRibby.
Duchess read the letter and wrote an answer:--"I will come with muchpleasure at a quarter past four. But it is very strange. _I_ was justgoing to invite you to come here, to supper, my dear Ribby, to eatsomething _most delicious_.
"I will come very punctually, my dear Ribby," wrote Duchess; and thenat the end she added--"I hope it isn't mouse?"
THE INVITATION]
And then she thought that did not look quite polite; so she scratchedout "isn't mouse" and changed it to "I hope it will be fine," andshe gave her letter to the postman.
But she thought a great deal about Ribby's pie, and she read Ribby'sletter over and over again.
"I am dreadfully afraid it _will_ be mouse!" said Duchess toherself--"I really couldn't, _couldn't_ eat mouse pie. And I shall haveto eat it, because it is a party. And _my_ pie was going to be vealand ham. A pink and white pie-dish! and so is mine; just like Ribby'sdishes; they were both bought at Tabitha Twitchit's."
Duchess went into her larder and took the pie off a shelf and lookedat it.
"It is all ready to put into the oven. Such lovely pie-crust; and Iput in a little tin patty-pan to hold up the crust; and I made a holein the middle with a fork to let out the steam--Oh I do wish I couldeat my own pie, instead of a pie made of mouse!"
Duchess considered and considered and read Ribby's letter again--
"A pink and white pie-dish--and _you_ shall eat it _all_. 'You' meansme--then Ribby is not going to even taste the pie herself? A pink andwhite pie-dish! Ribby is sure to go out to buy the muffins.... Oh whata good idea! Why shouldn't I rush along and put my pie into Ribby'soven when Ribby isn't there?"
Duchess was quite delighted with her own cleverness!
Ribby in the meantime had received Duchess's answer, and as soon asshe was sure that the little dog could come--she popped _her_ pie intothe oven. There were two ovens, one above the other; some other knobsand handles were only ornamental and not intended to open. Ribby putthe pie into the lower oven; the door was very stiff.
"The top oven bakes too quickly," said Ribby to herself. "It is a pieof the most delicate and tender mouse minced up with bacon. And I havetaken out all the bones; because Duchess did nearly choke herself witha fish-bone last time I gave a party. She eats a little fast--ratherbig mouthfuls. But a most genteel and elegant little dog; infinitelysuperior company to Cousin Tabitha Twitchit."
THE PIE MADE OF MOUSE]
Ribby put on some coal and swept up the hearth. Then she went outwith a can to the well, for water to fill up the kettle.
Then she began to set the room in order, for it was the sitting-roomas well as the kitchen. She shook the mats out at the front-door andput them straight; the hearthrug was a rabbit-skin. She dusted theclock and the ornaments on the mantelpiece, and she polished andrubbed the tables and chairs.
Then she spread a very clean white table-cloth, and set out her bestchina tea-set, which she took out of a wall-cupboard near thefireplace. The tea-cups were white with a pattern of pink roses; andthe dinner-plates were white and blue.
When Ribby had laid the table she took a jug and a blue and whitedish, and went out down the field to the farm, to fetch milk andbutter.
When she came back, she peeped into the bottom oven; the pie lookedvery comfortable.
Ribby put on her shawl and bonnet and went out again with a basket, tothe village shop to buy a packet of tea, a pound of lump sugar, and apot of marmalade.
And just at the same time, Duchess came out of _her_ house, at theother end of the village.
THE VEAL AND HAM PIE]
Ribby met Duchess half-way down the street, also carrying a basket,covered with a cloth. They only bowed to one another; theydid not speak, because they were going to have a party.
As soon as Duchess had got round the corner out of sight--she simplyran! Straight away to Ribby's house!
Ribby went into the shop and bought what she required, and came out,after a pleasant gossip with Cousin Tabitha Twitchit.
Cousin Tabitha was disdainful afterwards in conversation--
"A little _dog_ indeed! Just as if there were no CATS in Sawrey!And a _pie_ for afternoon tea! The very idea!" said Cousin TabithaTwitchit.
Ribby went on to Timothy Baker's and bought the muffins. Then she wenthome.
There seemed to be a sort of scuffling noise in the back passage, asshe was coming in at the front door.
"I trust that is not that Pie: the spoons are locked up, however,"said Ribby.
But there was nobody there. Ribby opened the bottom oven door withsome difficulty, and turned the pie. There began to be a pleasingsmell of baked mouse!
WHERE IS THE PIE MADE OF MOUSE?]
Duchess in the meantime, had slipped out at the back door.
"It is a very odd thing that Ribby's pie was _not_ in the oven when Iput mine in! And I can't find it anywhere; I have looked all over thehouse. I put _my_ pie into a nice hot oven at the top. I could notturn any of the other handles; I think that they are all shams," saidDuchess, "but I wish I could have removed the pie made of mouse! Icannot think what she has done with it? I heard Ribby coming and I hadto run out by the back door!"
Duchess went home and brushed her beautiful black coat; and then shepicked a bunch of flowers in her garden as a present for Ribby; andpassed the time until the clock struck four.
Ribby--having assured herself by careful search that there was reallyno one hiding in the cupboard or in the larder--went upstairs tochange her dress.
She put on a lilac silk gown, for the party, and an embroidered muslinapron and tippet.
"It is very strange," said Ribby, "I did not _think_ I left thatdrawer pulled out; has somebody been trying on my mittens?"
She came downstairs again, and made the tea, and put the teapot on thehob. She peeped again into the _bottom_ oven, the pie had become alovely brown, and it was steaming hot.
READY FOR THE PARTY]
She sat down before the fire to wait for the little dog. "I am glad Iused the _bottom_ oven," said Ribby, "the top one would certainly havebeen very much too hot. I wonder why that cupboard door was open? Canthere really have been someone in the house?"
Very punctually at four o'clock, Duchess started to go to the party.
She ran so fast through the village that she was too early, and shehad to wait a little while in the lane that leads down to Ribby'shouse.
"I wonder if Ribby has taken _my_ pie out of the oven yet?" saidDuchess, "and whatever can have become of the other pie made ofmouse?"
At a quarter past four to the minute, there came a most genteel littletap-tappity. "Is Mrs. Ribston at home?" inquired Duchess in the porch.
"Come in! and how do you do, my dear Duchess?" cried Ribby. "I hope Isee you well?"
"Quite well, I thank you, and how do _you_ do, my dear Ribby?" saidDuchess. "I've brought you some flowers; what a delicious smell ofpie!"
DUCHESS IN THE PORCH]
"Oh, what lovely flowers! Yes, it is mouse and bacon!"
"Do not talk about food, my dear Ribby," said Duchess; "what a lovelywhite tea-cloth!... Is it done to a turn? Is it still in the oven?"
"I think it wants another five minutes," said Ribby. "Just a shadelonger; I will pour out the tea, while we wait. Do you take sugar, mydear Duchess?"
"Oh yes, please! my dear Ribby; and may I have a lump upon my nose?"
"With pleasure, my dear Duchess; how beautifully you beg! Oh, howsweetly pretty!"
Duchess sat up with the sugar on her nose and sniffed--
"How good that pie smells! I do love veal and ham--I mean to say mouseand bacon--"
She dropped the sugar in confusion, and had to go hunting under thetea-table, so did not see which oven Ribby opened in order to get outthe pie.
Ribby set the pie upon the table; there was a very savoury smell.
Duchess came out from under the table-cloth munching sugar, and satup on a chair.
"I will first cut the pie for you; I am going to have muffin andmarmalade," said Ribby.
"Do you really prefer muffin? Mind the patty-pan!"
"I beg your pardon?" said Ribby.
"May I pass you the marmalade?" said Duchess hurriedly.
The pie proved extremely toothsome, and the muffins light and hot.They disappeared rapidly, especially the pie!
"I think"--(thought the Duchess to herself)--"I _think_ it would bewiser if I helped myself to pie; though Ribby did not seem to noticeanything when she was cutting it. What very small fine pieces it hascooked into! I did not remember that I had minced it up so fine; Isuppose this is a quicker oven than my own."
"How fast Duchess is eating!" thought Ribby to herself, as shebuttered her fifth muffin.
The pie-dish was emptying rapidly! Duchess had had four helps already,and was fumbling with the spoon. "A little more bacon, my dearDuchess?" said Ribby.
"Thank you, my dear Ribby; I was only feeling for the patty-pan."
WHERE IS THE PATTY-PAN?]
"The patty-pan? my dear Duchess?"
"The patty-pan that held up the pie-crust," said Duchess, blushingunder her black coat.
"Oh, I didn't put one in, my dear Duchess," said Ribby; "I don't thinkthat it is necessary in pies made of mouse."
Duchess fumbled with the spoon--"I can't find it!" she said anxiously.
"There isn't a patty-pan," said Ribby, looking perplexed.
"Yes, indeed, my dear Ribby; where can it have gone to?" saidDuchess.
"There most certainly is not one, my dear Duchess. I disapprove of tinarticles in puddings and pies. It is most undesirable--(especiallywhen people swallow in lumps!)" she added in a lower voice.
Duchess looked very much alarmed, and continued to scoop the insideof the pie-dish.
"My Great-aunt Squintina (grandmother of Cousin TabithaTwitchit)--died of a thimble in a Christmas plum-pudding. _I_ neverput any article of metal in _my_ puddings or pies."
Duchess looked aghast, and tilted up the pie-dish.
"I have only four patty-pans, and they are all in the cupboard."
Duchess set up a howl.
"I shall die! I shall die! I have swallowed a patty-pan! Oh, my dearRibby, I do feel so ill!"
"It is impossible, my dear Duchess; there was not a patty-pan."
Duchess moaned and whined and rocked herself about.
"Oh I feel so dreadful, I have swallowed a patty-pan!"
"There was _nothing_ in the pie," said Ribby severely.
"Yes there _was_, my dear Ribby, I am sure I have swallowed it!"
"Let me prop you up with a pillow, my dear Duchess; where do you thinkyou feel it?"
"Oh I do feel so ill _all over_ me, my dear Ribby; I have swallowed alarge tin patty-pan with a sharp scalloped edge!"
"Shall I run for the doctor? I will just lock up the spoons!"
"Oh yes, yes! fetch Dr. Maggotty, my dear Ribby: he is a Pie himself,he will certainly understand."
Ribby settled Duchess in an armchair before the fire, and went out andhurried to the village to look for the doctor.
She found him at the smithy.
He was occupied in putting rusty nails into a bottle of ink, which hehad obtained at the post office.
"Gammon? ha! HA!" said he, with his head on one side.
Ribby explained that her guest had swallowed a patty-pan.
"Spinach? ha! HA!" said he, and accompanied her with alacrity.
DR. MAGGOTTY'S MIXTURE]
He hopped so fast that Ribby had to run. It was most conspicuous. Allthe village could see that Ribby was fetching the doctor.
"I _knew_ they would over-eat themselves!" said Cousin TabithaTwitchit.
But while Ribby had been hunting for the doctor--a curious thing hadhappened to Duchess, who had been left by herself, sitting before thefire, sighing and groaning and feeling very unhappy.
"How _could_ I have swallowed it! such a large thing as a patty-pan!"
She got up and went to the table, and felt inside the pie-dish againwith a spoon.
"No; there is no patty-pan, and I put one in; and nobody has eaten pieexcept me, so I must have swallowed it!"
She sat down again, and stared mournfully at the grate. The firecrackled and danced, and something sizz-z-zled!
Duchess started! She opened the door of the _top_ oven; out came arich steamy flavour of veal and ham, and there stood a fine brownpie,--and through a hole in the top of the pie-crust there was aglimpse of a little tin patty-pan!
Duchess drew a long breath--
"Then I must have been eating MOUSE!... No wonder I feel ill.... Butperhaps I should feel worse if I had really swallowed a patty-pan!"Duchess reflected--"What a very awkward thing to have to explain toRibby! I think I will put _my_ pie in the back-yard and say nothingabout it. When I go home, I will run round and take it away." She putit outside the back-door, and sat down again by the fire, and shut hereyes; when Ribby arrived with the doctor, she seemed fast asleep.
"Gammon, ha, HA?" said the doctor.
"I am feeling very much better," said Duchess, waking up with a jump.
"I am truly glad to hear it! He has brought you a pill, my dearDuchess!"
"I think I should feel _quite_ well if he only felt my pulse," saidDuchess, backing away from the magpie, who sidled up with something inhis beak.
"It is only a bread pill, you had much better take it; drink a littlemilk, my dear Duchess!"
"Gammon? Gammon?" said the doctor, while Duchess coughed and choked.
"Don't say that again!" said Ribby, losing her temper--"Here, takethis bread and jam, and get out into the yard!"
"Gammon and Spinach! ha ha HA!" shouted Dr. Maggotty triumphantlyoutside the back door.
"I am feeling very much better my dear Ribby," said Duchess. "Do younot think that I had better go home before it gets dark?"
"Perhaps it might be wise, my dear Duchess. I will lend you a nicewarm shawl, and you shall take my arm."
"I would not trouble you for worlds; I feel wonderfully better. Onepill of Dr. Maggotty--"
"Indeed it is most admirable, if it has cured you of a patty-pan! Iwill call directly after breakfast to ask how you have slept."
Ribby and Duchess said goodbye affectionately, and Duchess startedhome. Half-way up the lane she
stopped and looked back; Ribby had gonein and shut her door. Duchess slipped through the fence, and ran roundto the back of Ribby's house, and peeped into the yard.
Upon the roof of the pig-stye sat Dr. Maggotty and three jackdaws. Thejackdaws were eating pie-crust, and the magpie was drinking gravy outof a patty-pan.
"Gammon, ha, HA!" he shouted when he saw Duchess's little black nosepeeping round the corner.
Duchess ran home feeling uncommonly silly!
When Ribby came out for a pailful of water to wash up the tea-things,she found a pink and white pie-dish lying smashed in themiddle of the yard. The patty-pan was under the pump, where Dr.Maggotty had considerately left it.
SO THERE REALLY _WAS_ A PATTY-PAN]
Ribby stared with amazement--"Did you ever see the like! so therereally _was_ a patty-pan?... But _my_ patty-pans are all in thekitchen cupboard. Well I never did!... Next time I want to give aparty--I will invite Cousin Tabitha Twitchit!"