will never think that it was
I who put them there, and it will be too bad if you don't, for I had a
dreadful time climbing up over the dasher with them, and both my jaws
are quite lame from stretching them so, to carry the biggest ones I
could find.

There are three beautiful dandelions out on the terrace, but I don't
suppose they will keep till you come home. A man has been doing
something to your garden, but though I watched him very closely all the
time, I could not make out what he was about. I am afraid it is
something you will not like; but if I find out more about it, I will
tell you in my next letter. Good by.

Your affectionate Pussy.

[Illustration: "I felt very unhappy after you drove off yesterday."
Page 28.]

[Illustration: "I hope you found the horse-chestnuts which I put in
the carriage for you. I had a dreadful time climbing up over the
dasher with them."--Page 33.]

II.

My Dear Helen:

I do wish that you and your father would turn around directly, wherever
you are, when you get this letter, and come home as fast as you can. If
you do not come soon there will be no home left for you to come into. I
am so frightened and excited, that my paws tremble, and I have upset the
ink twice, and spilled so much that there is only a little left in the
bottom of the cup, and it is as thick as hasty pudding; so you must
excuse the looks of this letter, and I will tell you as quickly as I can
about the dreadful state of things here. Not more than an hour after I
finished my letter to you, yesterday, I heard a great noise in the
parlor, and ran in to see what was the matter. There was Mary with her
worst blue handkerchief tied over her head, her washing-day gown on, and
a big hammer in her hand. As soon as she saw me, she said, "There's that
cat! Always in my way," and threw a cricket at me, and then shut the
parlor door with a great slam. So I ran out and listened under the
front windows, for I felt sure she was in some bad business she did not
want to have known. Such a noise I never heard: all the things were
being moved; and in a few minutes, what do you think--out came the whole
carpet right on my head! I was nearly stifled with dust, and felt as if
every bone in my body must be broken; but I managed to creep out from
under it, and heard Mary say, "If there isn't that torment of a cat
again! I wish to goodness Helen had taken her along!" Then I felt surer
than ever