174 Baby and the Kitten 



feline infant usually protested by a shrill cry ; but it 

 never tried to resent the treatment, and never for a 

 moment permitted its claws to lacerate the delicate 

 skin of the baby. 



And so these two young creatures grew along 

 together, although it could easily be seen that the 

 kitten was maturing much faster than the baby ; but 

 the intimacy between them seemed to increase rather 

 than diminish. One day the nurse, for some reason 

 known only to her class, lost her temper and spoke 

 harshly to the child, and even began to shake it. The 

 kitten was lying quietly asleep at the foot of the crib, 

 but at the first sound of the harsh words it opened 

 its eyes and looked up with wonder. Then a com- 

 plete change seemed to come over it. The familiar 

 sight of the arched back, puffed fur, and glaring eyes, 

 was followed by the snarling, spitting actions common 

 to cat nature, and the kitten sprang upon the nurse, 

 clawing and striking vigorously. Of course it was 

 unable to do any serious harm, but it brought the 

 nurse girl to her senses, and she released the baby 

 from her grasp. Whether the two little friends were 

 happier over the result, and in their way talked con- 



