“Three cheers for the Captain of the ‛Belle of Minnetaska!’” And the Captain had to bow, and take off his hat to every one.
“Three cheers for the cat!” And these were the loudest cheers of all,—so loud, indeed, that Weejums’ tail swelled out of all proportion. But nobody saw it, for, before the last cheer was over, Eunice was running swiftly towards home, with the dear lost pussy clasped tight to her little heart.
“The water took the color out of her ribbon,” she announced at supper that night; “but she’s goin’ to have a new one.”
CHAPTER TEN
ON THE FARM
WEEJUMS had not only one new ribbon, but many; for the story of her rescue came out in the papers, and a number of people sent her presents. Gifts arrived also from several of the passengers on the “Belle of Minnetaska” who had made her acquaintance in the ladies’ cabin.
There were blue ribbons and pink ribbons and Nile-green ribbons, and one whole bolt of yellow-and-white striped ribbon with little red flowers in the stripes. It sounds dreadful, but was really most artistic; and Weejums had on a large bow of it the day when she met the polecat. No one saw the encounter; but when she came home, the striped ribbon had to be pulled off over her head with a pair of tongs, while even her own kittens fled at her approach.
“WEEJUMS HAD NOT ONLY ONE NEW RIBBON, BUT MANY”