176 
Pussy Meow 
who go around carrying covered baskets. But I 
knew that I could not keep my babies much longer, 
so I just tried to be brave, and resigned to my fate. 
Teddy said he liked the black one, but Dorothy 
preferred the Maltese. 
“ What are you going to call them, Teddy ? ” 
said mistress. 
“I shall call them Punch and Judy, or some 
names that fit together like that,” answered Teddy. 
“ But how will it be next summer, when you go 
to the Lake Shore ? ” 
“ We will have some one take care of them while 
we are gone,” said Dorothy. 
This satisfied mistress, and she told them they 
could have the kittens. 
Then I went out to see if I couldn’t find another 
mousie for them, and after long waiting at a neigh- 
boring ash pile I finally captured one, and I 
hastened to bring my babies this last offering. But 
when I reached the garden I found my basket 
empty, and the old comfortable that had been our 
rallying place, deserted. The dreaded hour had 
come ; I was a broken-hearted mother, bereft of all 
my little ones. I cared nothing more for the mousie 
so I let it go. Of course, I cried, and searched 
