“Take care,” said the little girl. “Here are some steps.”

They went down two or three steps, and came to a big stone door.

The little girl touched it two or three times with the rose, saying:

“Kitty-cat! Kitty-cat!

Open the door;

Two knocks, or three knocks,

Have brought you before.”

The door swung open, and they stepped into a large room, or rather hall.

On a big rug, in front of a door, lay a large dog, with two or three kittens crawling over him.

“Is Kitty-cat ready for us?” asked the little girl.