Two Far Journeys 207 
“ What you say is encouraging,” said mistress, 
“ because I am often criticised, and told that I 
would do better to lavish my attentions on some 
neglected child, than on cats. But children have a 
hundred friends where cats have none.” 
“ That’s just what I have heard Mrs. Bolton say,” 
replied Miss Cummings. 
“ And furthermore I have found,” said mistress, 
“ that my interest in cats has increased my love for 
human beings, and indeed for all living creatures.” 
But to return to the journey. When mistress 
went away to Switzerland three lovely young ladies 
came to live at our house, and Bettie kept house 
for them. Toddy was living with Mrs. Smith and 
Budge and I stayed at home. But if you should 
ask me how we spent the long summer, I should 
have to tell you that we passed a good share of it 
sitting on the front porch railing, where mis- 
tress had placed a shelf behind the vines for our 
accommodation. There we sat day after day, look- 
ing longingly up the street ; each wanting to be 
the first to tell the others the happy news of mis- 
tress’ return. At last the robins had sung their 
good-bye songs, and the grasshoppers had taken 
their departure. The leaves were beginning to fall 
