146 Pussy Meow 
coming from the piazza, and a great commotion 
seemed to be going on in the little nest. Tiny 
beaks could be seen, reaching above the edge, and 
Papa Robert seemed to be busier than ever. He 
would bring so much food at a time that the worms 
and insects could be seen dangling on each side of 
his beak. Sometimes he gave it to Rena, and she 
would chew it up and drop a portion into each little 
beak while he went off for more ; and sometimes 
he would feed the little ones himself. 
They say that accidents happen even in the best 
regulated households, so it’s not surprising that they 
came near having one in Robert’s family. I was 
sitting on the window-sill, and Rena was standing 
on the flower box chatting with mistress who stood 
just inside the door. The screen door happened to 
be unfastened and Toddy forced it open without 
mistress noticing it. So swiftly did he dart upon 
the flower box, that he nearly toppled over, and 
poor Rena just barely escaped his claws. 
As soon as Rena reached a safe distance in the 
maple tree, she turned to Toddy and gave him a 
dreadful scolding. “ You ugly cat,” said she, 
“aren’t you ashamed to think of robbing my poor 
little babies of their mother? You are more cruel 
