THE HISTORY OF TIP-TOP. 35 



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

 gold." 



"No, don't look," said Singer and Speckle. "She will 

 bewitch you and then eat you up." 



"I'd like to see her try to eat me up," said Tip-Top, 

 again balancing his short tail over the nest. " 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 ! " 



Then the yellow eyes below shot a bewildering light 

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

 " Little birds, little birds, come down ; Pussy wants to play 

 with you." 



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

 so soft ! I don't believe she has any claws."- 



" Don't go, brother, don't ! " screamed both sisters. 



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

 scream was heard from the nursery window. "O mamma, 

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

 and the cat has got him ! " 



- 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 "play with him." 

 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. 



