She sets it out on the floor close by;

’Tis smoking hot, and covered with juice;

And she says to them, “Eat as much as you choose.”

So up to the chin,

They all dip in.

Dame Puss goes out to wash her paws,

And to comb her whiskers with her claws,

When again the troublesome three appear;

“Oh mother dear, see here—see here!”

Distressed and shy

They begin to cry.

[THUMB]
[PAGE]

No wonder they cry; they did not wait

For a spoon, or knife, or fork, or plate,