seeing this, thought her mistress was
going to take a nap, and at once settled herself in her usual place,
with her paws planted on Becky's chest, and her green eyes lazily
blinking into her face. They had passed many an hour together in this
position, but to-day the kitten noticed something strange, for presently
one shining tear and then another crept slowly between her mistress's
closed fingers. This was some new game or joke, and she at once began
to join in it, by patting at them softly, taking care not to put out her
claws, and purring to show her satisfaction. What was her surprise when
Becky suddenly caught her tightly to her breast, and bursting into
heart-broken tears, exclaimed:

"Oh Kitty, Kitty, my own Kitty! Whatever shall I do?"

This was certainly most puzzling, and so unlike anything in the kitten's
experience, that she could not make out what part her mistress wished
her to play. She got out of the difficulty at last by going snugly to
sleep, and presently, worn out by grief and crying, Becky was quiet too,
and began to take comfort in the thought that she should soon be able to
tell Dan all about it. He had often helped her out of troubles before,
and perhaps he would think of some way now.

She lay with her eyes fixed patiently on the door, waiting for him to
appear; but she knew before that happened the door would open twice,
once for Mrs Tuvvy, and once for her father, who both got home earlier.
Becky had seen the same things so often from her dim corner, that she
could have described them with her eyes shut, and it was all just the
same this afternoon. A heavy, flat-footed step, and Mrs Tuvvy entered
with a tired, ill-used look on her face, cast off her shawl, untied the
strings of her bonnet, and tipped it forward on her head. Becky would
hardly have known her mother without her bonnet, for she wore it indoors
and out. Then, talking all the time in a high, drawling voice, she
proceeded to get the evening meal ready. If it were early in the week,
there would be something savoury to cook, which she had brought home
with her; or, perhaps, only a small piece of cold pork for Tuvvy's
special benefit. To-night there were some slices of ham to broil, and
the room was soon full of the sound and smell of her preparations.

The door opened again, and Tuvvy himself swung in, with a nod and a
smile, and "How's yourself, Becky?" In times not long gone by Tuvvy had
been used to enter in a very