Chapter Seven: Of Tails n' Feathers

Early the next morning, Bianca was setting down a bowl of porridge on her bedside bureau when she heard tapping on her door.

Bianca: (Calls out) Do come in, Father.

The child knew it was the Doctor, for Ms. Francis… never taps.

Doctor Johnson came into the bedroom and observed the sleeping mouse. After his medical eyes had their fill, he turned towards his daughter.

Doctor Johnson: (Proudly) I must say, Honeysuckle; you are doing a marvelous job with care and nutrition. Your commitment is making the near impossible, possible.

Bianca: (Smiles and blushes) Just doing on what you recommended, Father.

Doctor Johnson: (Smiles) So, is the mouse… still talking?

His daughter still smiling nodded and her Father laughed warmly and patted her head. Both of them look towards the resting rodent and the Doctor gave a longer stare at the mouse's badly crooked tail.

Doctor Johnson: That must have been quite painful to endure such damage. It seems to be an old injury; (Shakes his head) too late to correct it now. Poor furry fellow, I figure he didn't have anyone to help him when it occurred.

Bianca too, stared at the large, brown, misshaped tail. The mouse's appendage looked like it still hurt. The young girl's heart felt heavy for the rodent; she wished she was there for him then.

Her Father saw the sorrow in the child's light-sky eyes and could sense on what was troubling his caring daughter. He rubbed his hand on her back to assure her.

Doctor Johnson: (Smiled) Well, a good thing he has his trusty nurse now, isn't it?

Bianca looked up at the gentle, consoling man and returned the smile.

The bonding of the little family was halted when they heard the ever heavy footsteps of Ms. Francis approaching. Doctor Johnson knew why the housekeeper wanted to come in the girl's bedroom. He whispered to his daughter and she nodded in agreement. The two went out of the room and quickly closed the door… which made the mouse in the bed shoot his eyes wide open.

Ms. Francis: Good Morning, Doctor and Miss Bianca. Please excuse yourselves so I may dust the room, please.

Bianca and her Father just stood in place, blinking. The impatient woman was about to ask again, till the man elbow poked his silent child.

Bianca: (Clears throat) Oh, Ms. Francis. I have a request for you… (Pauses)

Ms. Francis: Well, alright, but please out with it. I want to begin my chore promptly.

The hasty housekeeper waited while twirling a feather duster.

Ms. Francis: Young ladies must never doddle, Miss Bianca.

Doctor Johnson: (Puts his hands on Bianca's shoulders) Go on, Honeysuckle.

Bianca: (Sighs) Ms. Francis, since I already take great care with keeping my room neat, I would prefer that I may also dust it too. I am growing up and it is only right for me to have more responsibilities. (Gives a big smile) Father suggested it.

Doctor Johnson: Yes, I suggested it. She wants to be 'properly' neat as her… mentor. (Also gives a big smile)

At first, the housekeeper was a little baffled at the grinning pair. But with her employer's last remark, the woman patted her gray modest dress down and held her head up high.

Ms. Francis: (Proudly) Of course, young lady. By all means! I wish your Father was proper like you. His office is forever a clutter and always in need of a good dusting!

Doctor Johnson: (Chuckles) I guess my sneezes should teach me a lesson on tidiness then, Ms. Francis?

Ms. Francis: So they should, Doctor...

The woman rolls her eyes and heads for the stairs.

Ms. Francis: So they should…

When the housekeeper went downstairs, Bianca felt a little guilty.

Bianca: Father, did we just lie to Ms. Francis? I want to keep peace in our home, but I don't want to be untruthful to anyone, not even to Ms. Francis.

Doctor Johnson rubbed the young girl's arm and gave his assuring smile once more.

Doctor Johnson: Bianca, no one thinks you're untruthful!

Bianca: But Father…

Doctor Johnson: Shh, before the nurse resumes caring for her patient, I suggest that she takes a peep in her closet first.

The smiling Father winked and left to join the bossy housekeeper downstairs.

The child went into her bedroom and closed the door while wondering why her Father said to look in her closet. Bianca walked towards the mirror covered closet's door and opened it to find… a new feather duster.

The good Doctor had given his honest daughter, peace of mind.

The young girl happily closes the mirrored door.

Bianca: (Giggles) Oh Father… (Gasps loudly) OH GEE!

In the reflection of the tall mirror, the startled girl saw the mouse near the end of the bed, standing on his hind brown legs with his right paw clinging to his bandaged wound; shooting hot, deep breaths from his nose.

Bianca was a bit taken off guard at this sight. She turned around, facing the big rodent with her right hand on her chest as well.

The mouse's sights were fixated on the young girl; the only thing moving about him was his large bent tail, slowly swishing to and fro.

Mouse: (Speaks slowly) Where… am… I?

The child was quiet for a moment. She just got use to the mouse saying words, but to hear the animal using sentences and standing on two legs… was still a lot for a young girl to take in… or for anyone to take in for that matter!

Bianca bit her bottom lip. The rodent narrowed his thick black eyebrows, still staring and still standing. He took a step forward

Mouse: (Angrily) Where… Am I?!

Bianca: You're safe… safe in my home.

The large, intimidating rodent glared with unsure squinting eyes. At first sight, he took this girl for someone else, but realized it wasn't who he thought it was when she had spoken.

Bianca: (Nervous) I'm… relieved to see you fully awake and about.

The young girl calmed herself a bit and wanting to show the mouse she was pleasant; gave a small smile and held the bottom of her dress; ready to introduce herself formally.

Bianca: (Curtsies) Greetings, I'm-

Mouse: (Interrupts) I… am the Mouseking!

The King of Mice took another step forward on the bed while pointing a paw at the wide eyed child…

Mouse: (Growls loudly) Who… are… YOU?!