And now he settled himself on his little bench by the side of his mother, and, folding his hands, fixed his blue eyes upon her face as she began:
THE WOOING OF MASTER FOX.
"Once upon a time two very respectable cats, of very old family, had an only daughter, so amiable and beautiful that she was quite the belle of the place."
"How 'belle?'" said Willie.
"Why, she was the best and most beautiful young lady, and received all the presents and attentions."
"Oh, yes!" said Willie.
"Her skin was of the most delicate tortoiseshell; her paws were smoother than velvet; and her fine, white whiskers were twelve inches long, at the least; and then, above all, her eyes, instead of being green, were a lovely hazel, and so gentle that it was quite astonishing in a cat.
"When she was about two years and a half old she was left an orphan—poor thing! with a large fortune. Of course, she had a great many lovers who wanted to marry her; but, without troubling you with all the rest, I will come at once to the two rivals—the dog and the fox.
"Now Beppo, the dog, was a handsome, honest, straightforward, affectionate fellow; and he knew it, for he said: