KITTENHOOD. 115 



when she and her Httle ones are lost "in the land of 

 dreams." And so from day to day, until bright, meek- 

 eyed, innocent, inquiring little faces, with eager eyes, peep 

 above the basket that is yet their home. One bolder than 

 the others springs out, when, scared at its own audacity, as 

 quickly, and oft clumsily, scrambles back, then out — in — 

 and out, in happy, varied, wild, frolicsome, gambolsome 

 play, they clutch, twist, turn, and wrestle in artless mimicry 

 of desperate quarrelling ; — the struggle over, in liveliest 

 antics they chase and rechase in turn, or in fantastic mood 

 play ; 'tis but play, and such wondrous play — bright, joyous, 

 and light ; and so life glides on with them as kittens — frisky, 

 skittish, playful kittens. 



A few more days, and their mother leads them forth, 

 with many an anxious look and turn, softly calling in a 

 subdued voice, they halting almost at every step ; suddenly, 

 oft at nothing, panic-stricken, quickly scamper back, not one 

 yet daring to follow where all is so oddly strange and 

 new, their natural shyness being stronger than the love of 

 freedom. Again, with scared look and timid steps, they come, 

 when again at nothing frightened, or with infantile pretence, 

 they are off, " helter-skelter," without a pause or stay, one 

 and all, they o'er and into their basket clamber, tumble in, 

 turn about and stare with a more than half-bewildered, 

 self-satisfied safety look about them. Gaining courage once 

 more, they peer about, with dreamy, startled, anxious eyes, 

 watching for dangers that never are, although expected. 

 Noiseless comes their patient, loving mother; with what 

 new delight they cling about her ; how fondly and tenderly 

 she tends them, lures, cossets, coaxes, and talks, as only a 

 gentle mother-cat can — "There is no danger, no ! — nothing 

 to fear. Is she not with them ; will she not guard, keep 

 and defend them ? There is a paradise out there ; through 

 this door ; they must see it. Come, she will show them ; 

 come, have confidence ! Now, then— come I " When 

 followed by her three little ones, and they with much 

 misgiving, she passes out — out into the garden, out 

 among the lovely, blooming, fragrant roses, out among the 



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