THE HISTORY OF TIP-TOP. 35 



&quot; Only look at her ! &quot; said Tip-Top ; &quot; her eyes are like 

 gold.&quot; 



&quot; No, don t look/ said Singer and Speckle. &quot; She will 

 bewitch you and then eat you up.&quot; 



&quot; I d like to see her try to eat me up/ said Tip-Top, 

 again balancing his short tail over the nest. &quot; Just as if 

 she would. She s just the nicest, most innocent creature 

 going, and only wants us to have fun. We never do have 

 any fun in this old nest ! &quot; 



Then the yellow eyes below shot a bewildering light 

 into Tip-Top s eyes, and a voice sounded sweet as silver : 

 &quot; Little birds, little birds, come down ; Pussy wants to play 

 with you.&quot; 



&quot; Her paws are as white as velvet,&quot; said Tip-Top ; &quot; and 

 so soft ! I don t believe she has any claws.&quot; 



&quot; Don t go, brother, don t ! &quot; screamed both sisters. 



All we know about it is, that a moment after a direful 

 scream was heard from the nursery window. &quot; O mamma, 

 mamma, do come here ! Tip-Top s fallen out of the nest, 

 and the cat has got him ! &quot; 



Away ran Pussy with foolish little Tip-Top in her 

 mouth, and he squeaked dolefully when he felt her sharp 

 teeth.. Wicked Miss Pussy had no mind to eat him at 

 once; she meant just as she said, to &quot;play with him.&quot; 

 So she ran off to a private place among the currant-bushes, 

 while all the little curly heads were scattered up and down 

 looking for her. 



