By going upon the log she was able to reach far enough so that Adele could get the basket which was unfastened and sent back after it had been emptied of its contents. “I think you were lovely to send me all these,” said Adele delightedly.
“Oh, we shall have plenty more,” Jessie told her. “Sam says there are lots down in the big field. You shall have some of those, too. Now be very careful when you untie the basket this time. It isn’t for you to keep always, but only for a little while.”
While Adele was puzzling over this, Jessie went off to the grotto from which she abstracted something. She kept her back to Adele, and was some time in getting the basket settled to suit her. “I am just crazy to see what it is,” said Adele excitedly.
Jessie laughed and this time went further out upon the log carrying the pole very carefully and reaching it out to where Adele stood at the other end of the log. “Go a little further away when you open the basket,” she suggested, and Adele, wondering, obeyed.
She opened the lid of the basket and peeped in. “Oh!” she cried, “how lovely!”
“He has only come for a visit,” said Jessie hurriedly. “His name is Cloudy, you know. I thought you might like to see him.”
“Isn’t he a darling?” said Adele snuggling the kitten up against her face.
Jessie watched her with a serious countenance. Presently she said rather breathlessly, “Would you like to call him half yours? I don’t believe I could give him to you altogether, but we might go shares, you know.”
Adele sat down with the kitten in her lap. “Jessie Loomis, I think you are the dearest girl that ever lived,” she said earnestly, “and I should love to come over there and hug you, but I won’t, because I must be good. No, I won’t let you give me even half the kitten, but I do love to have him come over for a visit. See, he is sleepy. Shall I put him back in the basket and let him have a nap?”
“He has just had a big saucer of milk,” said Jessie, “but he is very playful most of the time. You might let him have a little nap, and I will find something else to send over to you.”