Just then the breakfast bell rang, and Clematis marched in with the other children. She was thinking about Deborah, and wondering if she had caught any rats.
For breakfast they had baked apples, oatmeal with milk, and rye gems.
It did not take them long to eat this. Soon they were through, and ready for the morning work.
As they were getting up, Mrs. Snow came to speak to Miss Rose.
Clematis held her breath when she heard what was said.
“Perhaps this little girl would like to go down and play with her kitten a while. We can find some work for her by and by.”
“Oh yes,” said Clematis, “I would.”
“Well, you can tell Katie I said you might. Be sure not to get in her way.”
Off ran Clematis to the kitchen, to find her dear Deborah.
There she was, curled up like a little ball under the stove.