A Welcome Visitor 
127 
Through the kitchen door came a cloud of smoke ! 
The mistress, in great alarm, 
To a sense of danger straightway awoke : 
Her babies might come to harm. 
On the kitchen hearth, to her great amaze, 
Was a basket of shavings beginning to blaze. 
The three little kittens were hugged and kissed, 
And promised many a mouse ; 
While their names were put upon honor’s list, 
For hadn’t they saved a house ? 
And two little children were gathered tight 
To their mother’s heart ere she slept that night. 
The mention of the Band of Mercy brought to 
my mind little Willie Cotton, and instantly it 
dawned upon me that the strange lady was Willie’s 
mother. Mrs. Cotton carried a bunch of delicious 
sweet violets, as usual. 
“ I will be most happy to do anything I can for 
Miss Wallace,” said Miss Dorothy, “ and if you 
think I am able to lead the Band, it will give me 
great pleasure to do so.” 
While Miss Dorothy was speaking I got up from 
my cushion, and jumped into her lap, but Mrs. 
Cotton did not seem to notice me at all ; she was 
so interested in the Band of Mercy. Then, al- 
though I knew it was very rude to do so, I jumped 
over on Mrs. Cotton’s lap. I felt that I must in 
