ij6 Baby and the Kitten 



to drown the sound of the organ by using its lungs 

 at their utmost capacity ; but it was in vain. Sud- 

 denly, without noise or warning, a monkey, dressed 

 in a red coat and with a jaunty hat set upon his 

 head in a rakish manner, appeared at the open win- 

 dow. He blinked his little black eyes, and chattered 

 in a quiet undertone, while gazing at the astonished 

 pair before him. The baby was thoroughly fright- 

 ened, and uttered a piercing scream ; while the 

 kitten, without retreating, arched its back, ruffled its 

 fur, and put itself in a position of defence. It was 

 evident, however, that the monkey was as much 

 astonished and embarrassed as were the other mem- 

 bers of the impromptu party. He even failed to 

 indulge in his usual begging act, notwithstanding 

 that the string of his master, fastened to his waist, 

 was prompting him to do so. At last, however, he 

 seemed to grasp the situation, and came forward, 

 smiling in his best manner, and seated himself upon 

 the edge of the crib. By this time the expressions 

 of fear on the faces of both baby and kitten had 

 turned to amazement and curiosity ; so that when, a 

 few moments after, the nurse entered the room, she 



