od
to laugh and joke. All stiffness and shyness had so completely vanished
that the visitors already seemed like old friends rather than new ones;
and Audrey was just thinking how very happy life might be, even at home in
Moor End, when, in a pause in the chatter, a sharp pitiful cry floated
across the stillness to them.

Debby was on her feet in a moment. "It is one of the kittens," she cried
anxiously. "Oh, what has happened? I am sure one is hurt."

Everyone's eyes searched the ground around them. Snowdrop was seen at
once, and Nigger was close by. Suddenly Keith started to run, Debby tore
after him, the same fear possessing them both. A little way off Peter
stood cropping the grass, a few paces behind him Rudolph lay on the turf
bleeding and very still--his inquisitiveness had led him too far at last.
In inspecting Peter's hoofs he had got under one and so ended his
curiosity for ever.

[Illustration: 'TEA ON THE MOORS.']

Keith reached him first, and by the time poor, panting, white-faced Debby
drew near he had covered the little lifeless body with his handkerchief.
"He is dead," he said gently, going to meet her and lead her away.
"Poor little chap--he must have been killed at once. Come away, Debby
dear, don't look at him." And he stood with his arm around her shaking
shoulders while her first anguished sobs broke from her.

"Don't cry so, Debby," he urged her; consoling her more by his tone than
his words, "be brave, old girl. He--he--poor little chap--he--won't
suffer any more. He--won't have to be given away now." Keith found it
very hard to find anything comforting to say. In fact, he would have been
glad to have been somewhere quite alone, that he might have shed a few
tears unobserved, himself. "Anyhow, he enjoyed his life--as long--as it
lasted. You made him awfully happy."

"But he had only had six weeks and two days," sobbed Debby, "and I loved
him best of all, he was so ugly, and people laughed at him. Oh, why
couldn't he have stayed where I put him! Oh, Rudolph, you dear naughty
darling, I loved you so."

Keith clasped her closer, "Never mind, old girl; don't cry, Debby."
Debby's face was bowed on his other arm. Suddenly she stretched out a
groping arm. "Handkerchief please, I--I lost mine."

"I--I am awfully sorry, but mine is spread over Rudolph."

"Never mind, don't take it away from him." Debby's tears flew fast again.
"But I wish I knew where mine was, it's--it's rath