The Slum Cat 
confirm the Sparrows in the list of things to be 
eaten if obtainable. 
On the fifth day of ill luck the Slum Kitty 
ventured forth into the street, desperately bent 
on finding food. When far from the haven 
hole some small boys opened fire at her with 
pieces of brick. She ran in fear. A Dog 
joined in the chase, and Kitty’s position grew 
perilous; but an old-fashioned iron fence round 
a house-front was there, and she slipped in be- 
tween the rails as the Dog overtook her. A 
woman in a window above shouted at the Dog. 
Then the boys dropped a piece of cat-meat 
down to the unfortunate; and Kitty had the 
most delicious meal of her life. The stoop af- 
forded a refuge. Under this she sat patiently 
till nightfall came with quiet, then sneaked back 
like a shadow to her old iron-yard. 
Thus the days went by for two months. She 
grew in size and strength and in an intimate 
knowledge of the immediate neighborhood. 
She made the acquaintance of Downey Street, 
where long rows of ash-cans were to be seen 
every morning. She formed her own ideas of 
their proprietors. The big house was to her, 
= 8) 
