22-A DUSTING OF POWDER ON THE TAIL

A DUSTING OF POWDER ON THE TAIL Tidytail squeaked on and on. Two hours later, he was finished with the fur, Next, it was time for makeup. Tidytail pulled out a pair of long tweezers. "First, we must pluck these eyebrows," he insisted, leaning over Trap. He looked like a mad rat surgeon operating on a patient. My cousin was out of his chair in a flash. "DON't todcH Me!" he squeaked, But Tidytail was already finished. He pulled out a blush brush and stroked Trap's cheeks. While he worked, he kept checking out a picture taped to his wall. It was a photo of Sally Ratmousen. "Let's see, we'll need false eyelashes," he

mumbled. "Then the LIPSTICK and nail polish. And, of course, a dusting of the finest powder on the tail." After that, he gave Trap a pair of contact lenses. They were the exact color of Sally's eyes—ice-blue! Then he sprayed Trap with some perfume. Finally, he called the fancy dress shop where Sally bought all of her clothes. He ordered an outfit for my cousin. When it arrived, Tidytail whisked Trap away to a back room. Minutes later, Timothy called us in. "Come and see! He is a work of art!" he squeaked proudly.

I couldn't believe my eyes. My cousin was a work of art. A work of art named Sally Ratmouscn!