need so to place it.

"Mr-r-r-owh!" trilled Mother cat warningly as Frisker wobbled over
toward her greatest dread, that dreadful water! "Do stay near me,
kittens; then you won't tumble in and get drowned."

"Miew!" answered the three kittens, in three different keys. "Don't
worry about us: we're all right!"

Folly, the white-nosed kitty, rose gaily on her tottery hind-legs for an
instant and cuffed playfully at her mother's ear, then started across
the barn floor as fast as a fat three-weeks-old kitten can tumble,
followed at once by Frisker.

Calico saw them go and, anticipating a frolic, at once made up her mind
to be in it. She lifted her heavy little head and started eagerly toward
her stronger sisters; but the progress was slow, for Calico was feeble,
and the weak little legs _would_ slide apart, while her tail waved
wildly from side to side in the effort to keep her balance.

She was a strong-minded small pussy, though weak in body, and she kept
steadily on. As she drew near her goal she _felt_ very strong and proud!
One or two surprising sit-downs and a very hard bump on the pink nose in
no way dampened her enthusiasm; but alas! the fall that always follows
pride dampened both enthusiasm and her whole wee self for a time.

Just as she was becoming quite reckless, almost prancing, with feet
stepping at least half an inch from the floor, there suddenly yawned
directly in front of the astounded kitten the six-inch chasm of the
drinking dish! She toppled; her tail gave a single wild twirl; and she
splashed heels over head into two inches of water!

Mrs. Tabby, who had been anxiously watching the unsteady promenade
sprang to the basin at once and leaning down tried to pull Calico out by
the nape of the neck. To the frightened and shivering kitten--that had
upon touching bottom at once gained its feet--this would have been quite
as unpleasant as the cold water that was now chilling her through and
through, so she protested in shrill wails.

Though she was too heavy for the little mother to lift, still Mrs. Tabby
would not give up, and tried to claw her kitten out with sudden dabs, as
she took the fish from the brook. _This_ was more than any kitten could
stand, and Calico rebelled openly; she spat at her worried mamma! (Of
course, she did not know any better, for she was only a kitty.) The
water might be cold; but at least _it_ did not hurt, while her nose and
ears smarted sharply from her mother's well-meant