“Yes,” said the big dog, in a gruff voice. “She has just taken her nap.”
“Can we go in?” said she.
“Knock, and see,” was the reply.
The little girl knocked with the rose, and said:
“Kitty-cat! Kitty-cat!
Are you at home?
Open the door, please,
And see who has come.”
The door slowly opened—they went in. It closed after them, and Tina saw that they were in a large room. There seemed to be no one there at first; but, on looking around, she saw a large Maltese cat, sitting on a velvet cushion in front of the fire. She had a gold crown on her head, and around her neck a fine collar embroidered with pearls.
The two girls went softly up to her. She waved her paw toward a lounge on one side, and they sat down.