l. See what has happened! Here is old Scratch-claw with his
tail caught fast in the door.

_Second Sparrow._--Where is he? Let me see. Oh, isn't this jolly!
Halloo, Sparrows! Come and see. Come one, come all.

_Third Sparrow._--That's the rascal that killed and ate three of my
little ones.

_Fourth Sparrow._--He came near catching me, the other day. Didn't he
spit viciously when he saw me get out of his way?

_Fifth Sparrow_ (the one on the ground).--How are you, old Sneezer? How
are your folks? Don't you find yourself comfortable?

[Illustration]

_Pussy._--Siss-ss-siss-ss! Mee-ow? mee-ow!

_Fifth Sparrow._--Oh! wouldn't you like to, though? Spit away, old
fellow! It's music to us sparrows.

_Sixth Sparrow._--You are the brute that killed my dear little
Spotted-wing.

_Seventh Sparrow._--He also murdered my precious little Twitterwit.

_Eighth Sparrow._--He is a bad fellow; and it is not surprising he has
come to grief.

_Ninth Sparrow._--Pull away, old boy! Sha'n't we come and help you? I
love you so, I would like a lock of your hair.

_Tenth Sparrow_ (the one on the lowest bough).--Children, hush! It is
not good sparrow morality to jeer at an enemy in affliction,--even a
cat.

_Fifth Sparrow._--O grandfather, you shut up your bill! Just you go
within reach of his claws, and see what cat-gratitude is.

_Tenth Sparrow._--My children, we must not exult over the pains even of
an enemy. A cat has feelings.

_Pussy._--Siss-hiss-hoo! Mee-ow! Fitt! Fitt!

_Fifth Sparrow._--What a lovely voice!

_Sixth Sparrow._--The expression of his face, too, how charming!

_Tenth Sparrow._--Fly back, all of you, to your bushes and trees; for
here comes a little boy who will see that Pussy is rescued.

_First Sparrow._--Well, I wouldn't have missed this spectacle for a good
deal.

_Fifth Sparrow._--It is better than Barnum's exhibition any day.

_First Sparrow._--Yes, and it costs us nothing.

_Tenth Sparrow._--There! Fly away, all of you! Fly away! You have said
enough. I am ashamed of you all. You ought to know better than to be
revengful. You are quite as bad as boys and men.

_Fifth Sparrow._--Grandfather is getting to be abusive. Let us fly off.
Good-by, Pussy! Pull away!

ALFRED SELWYN.

THE BIRDS AND THE POND-LILY.

[Illustration]

FOUR little birds came out to greet
The first pond-lily, so fair and sweet,
The first