rter of a dollar with a hole in it for a medal? Oh, the medal
will be for the spelling-class; that was what Grandma Parlin said."

It seemed a "ling-long" forenoon, and the little teacher rejoiced when
eleven o'clock came. The family at home looked at her curiously, and
Uncle James asked outright, "Tell us, Grandmother Graymouse, how do the
scholars behave?"

"Well, I suppose they behaved as well as they knew how; but oh, it makes
me so hungry!"

She could not say whether she liked teaching or not.

"Wait till Friday night, Uncle James, and then I'll tell you."

"Well said, Grandmother Graymouse! You couldn't have made a wiser
remark. We'll ask no further questions till Friday night."

But when Friday night came they were all thinking of something else,
something quite out of the common; and "Grandmother Graymouse" and her
school were forgotten.

VII

THE ZEBRA KITTEN

It began with Zee. By this time her young mistress had become very much
attached to her; and so indeed had all the "Dunlee party." Even Mrs.
Dunlee petted the kitten and said she was the most graceful creature she
had ever seen, except, perhaps, the dancing horse, Thistleblow. Eddo
loved her because "she hadn't any pins in her feet" and did not resent
his rough handling. The "little two" loved her because she allowed them
to play all sorts of games with her. They could make believe she was
very ill and tuck her up in bed, and she would swallow meekly such
medicine as alum with salt and water without even a mew.

"She is so amiable," said Edith. "And then that wonderful tail of hers,
mamma! 'Twould bring, I don't know how much money, at a cat fair. It's a
regular _prize_ tail, you see!"

An animal like this merited extra care. She was not to be put off like
an everyday cat with saucers of milk and scraps of meat; she must have
the choicest bits from the table.

"Mrs. McQuilken says the best-fed cats make the best mousers," said
Edith.

"Is that so, Miss Edith? Then the mice here at Castle Cliff haven't long
to live!" laughed good-natured Mr. Templeton, as he handed Zee's little
mistress a pitcher of excellent cream.

Edith was very grateful to Mrs. McQuilken for this remarkable kitten.
She had taken much pains with her pencil drawing of a cherub in the
clouds, intending it as a present for the eccentric old lady.

"Do you suppose she'll like it, mamma? You know she's so odd that one
never can tell."

Mrs. Dunlee was sure the pi