PUSS AND HER THREE KITTENS.
Our old cat has kittens three;
What do you think their names should be?
One is a tabby with emerald eyes,
And a tail that's long and slender;
But into a temper she quickly flies,
If you ever by chance offend her.
I think we shall call her this—
I think we shall call her that;
Now, don't you fancy "Pepper-pot"
A nice name for a cat?
One is black, with a frill of white,
And her feet are all white fur, too;
If you stroke her, she carries her tail upright,
And quickly begins to purr, too.
I think we shall call her this—
I think we shall call her that;
Now, don't you fancy "Sootikin"
A nice name for a cat?
One is a tortoise-shell, yellow and black,
With a lot of white about him:
If you tease him, at once he sets up his back:
He's a quarrelsome Tom, ne'er doubt him!
I think we shall call him this—
I think we shall call him that;
Now, don't you fancy "Scratchaway"
A nice name for a cat?
Our old cat has kittens three,
And I fancy these their names will be:
"Pepper-pot," "Sootikin," "Scratchaway,"—there!
Were there ever kittens with these to compare?
And we call the old mother—now, what do you think?
"Tabitha Longclaws Tiddleywink."
Thomas Hood.
