This Drum
- Lester and Antoinette get into an argument about Despereaux and what they're going to do with him. Lester blames Antoinette's French blood, and she says that he's being ridiculous.
- But Lester is undeterred. He announces that he's going to call a special meeting of the Mouse Council in order to decide what to do with Despereaux.
- He pulls out a drum—made of a thimble with some leather stretched over it—and starts to play the beat that will alert all members of the Mouse Council.
- They all know that when they hear this drumbeat, they'll have to convene and make a decision for the good of the entire mouse community.