24-TWENTY MINUTES TO PARTY TIME!

TWENTY MINUTES TO PARTY TIME! As soon as the Paws Brothers left, a dignified-looking rodent appeared at the door. "Good evening, I am Professor Parker Preciousfur," he said. "I am an expert in antiques. Your cousin Trap said you needed some restoring done." I shook his paw. "Thank you for coming, Professor," I squeaked. "I hope you can save my cherished antique furniture. It's so important to me," It was true. I love antiques. I had furnished my whole home with them. Yes, I know they were expensive. But to me they were worth it. Old chairs made during the Great Cat War. Old tables from the

Early Muenster Period. It was like owning pieces of history. The professor pulled out a tiny magnifying glass. He put it up to his eye. Then he examined the furniture. After a while, he wrinkled his snout. "May I ask you where you bought this furniture?" he said. I turned pale. "Of course. I bought it all from Woodrat's Relics," I said. Now the professor had a horrified expression on his face. He reached over and patted my paw, "I am so sorry," he said. "Woodrat is the biggest swindler in town. These are not real antiques. They are just reproductions." I felt faint. I felt sick. I felt like the dumbest mouse on the block.

The professor told me not to worry. He said he could still help. He would remove the old furniture and replace it with new stuff. Well, not really new stuff, I mean old stuff. I mean not old stuff, but antique stuff. You get the idea. Anyway, it turned out the professor owned a store just next to woodrat's. It was called Professor Preciousfur's Priceless Antiques. He whipped out a catalog. "Take a look at this gorgeous mahogany bookcase," he murmured. "And here's a beautiful turn— of-the-century dining room table. It seats up to twenty rodents!" I stumbled off to get my checkbook. "I'll take everything," I said with a sigh. What else could I do? I couldn't expect my guests to sit on the floor. Ten minutes later, the furniture was in place.