And then a tear fell from her eye on little Tom Thumb's hat; but he didn't care, for somehow he felt there must be some mistake, and that Taffy wasn't to blame. And Puss felt the same way, for he kept on purring and rubbing his nose against Taffy's big red hand.
THE RED BEARD
BY and by Taffy stopped stroking Puss, Junior, and said in a kindly voice:
"Well, my fine little cat, what can I do for you?"
Puss, Junior, didn't know just what to answer. In fact, as he hadn't come for anything, he couldn't think of anything to fit the question. But little Tom Thumb, however, called over from where he was sitting in the Welshwoman's lap, that they had come to call, and that they were strangers in town, traveling through on a journey of adventure.
"Did you hear what they say about me?" asked Taffy.
"Yes, we did," replied Puss, "but, somehow, I didn't believe it then; and I'm very sure I don't believe it now."
"Bless you for that," cried the little Welshwoman, "my Taffy is no thief. There has been a great mistake about it all."