Then Rikki-tikki came up and cried , `` Turn round , Nagaina . Turn and fight ! '' `` All in good time , '' said she , without moving her eyes . `` I will settle my account with you presently . Look at your friends , Rikki-tikki . They are still and white . They are afraid . They dare not move , and if you come a step nearer I strike . '' `` Look at your eggs , '' said Rikki-tikki , `` in the melon bed near the wall . Go and look , Nagaina ! '' The big snake turned half around , and saw the egg on the veranda . `` Ah-h ! Give it to me , '' she said . Rikki-tikki put his paws one on each side of the egg , and his eyes were blood-red . `` What price for a snake 's egg ? For a young cobra ? For a young king cobra ? For the last -- the very last of the brood ? The ants are eating all the others down by the melon bed . '' Nagaina spun clear round , forgetting everything for the sake of the one egg .
Rikki-tikki saw Teddy 's father shoot out a big hand , catch Teddy by the shoulder , and drag him across the little table with the tea-cups , safe and out of reach of XXXXX .
Ah-h Nagaina Rikki-tikki account brood eggs eyes others sake side