In came the mother cat, stopped short, and said,

“What has happened, children, since I went out?

What in the world is this fuss about?”

“O, mother, mother! we cannot be blamed;

Tell us, dear mother, why we are not named;

We are so ashamed, oh, what shall we do!

Meow, meow! O, dear mother! Meow, meow! Mew, mew!”

“Well,” said their mother, “blood will tell, I’m sure;

Such ambitious kittens show Maltese, pure.

Let me think, my dears, of some right good plan;