`` What is the use of that ? '' thought Rikki-tikki . `` I have settled it all ; '' and then Teddy 's mother picked him up from the dust and hugged him , crying that he had saved Teddy from death , and Teddy 's father said that he was a providence , and Teddy looked on with big scared eyes . Rikki-tikki was rather amused at all the fuss , which , of course , he did not understand . Teddy 's mother might just as well have petted Teddy for playing in the dust . Rikki was thoroughly enjoying himself . That night at dinner , walking to and fro among the wine-glasses on the table , he might have stuffed himself three times over with nice things . But he remembered Nag and Nagaina , and though it was very pleasant to be patted and petted by Teddy 's mother , and to sit on Teddy 's shoulder , his eyes would get red from time to time , and he would go off into his long war cry of `` Rikk-tikk-tikki-tikki-tchk ! '' Teddy carried him off to bed , and insisted on Rikki-tikki sleeping under his chin . Rikki-tikki was too well bred to bite or scratch , but as soon as Teddy was asleep he went off for his nightly walk round the house , and in the dark he ran up against Chuchundra , the musk-rat , creeping around by the wall . Chuchundra is a broken-hearted little beast . He whimpers and cheeps all the night , trying to make up his mind to run into the middle of the room . But he never gets there . `` Do n't kill me , '' said Chuchundra , almost weeping . `` Rikki-tikki , do n't kill me ! '' `` Do you think a snake-killer kills muskrats ? '' said Rikki-tikki scornfully . `` Those who kill snakes get killed by snakes , '' said Chuchundra , more sorrowfully than ever . `` And how am I to be sure that Nag wo n't mistake me for you some dark night ? '' `` There 's not the least danger , '' said Rikki-tikki .
`` But XXXXX is in the garden , and I know you do n't go there . ''
Nag Nagaina Rikk-tikk-tikki-tikki-tchk Rikki-tikki cheeps fro musk-rat night nightly wine-glasses