"No, because he knows it's ours; and that's why he doesn't interfere with Fluffy. If he saw a rabbit anywhere else he'd kill it in an instant. Snip's very sharp; he always was, even as a tiny puppy. I believe he knows all we say to him; and see how excited he gets if we ask him if he's going walking. I'm afraid he has rather a dull time when we're at school, though father takes him out in the afternoons; but he likes going with Bob and me better than with father, because we let him do as he likes," Kitty confessed ingenuously.
Tim laughed. "Do you know that your mother has asked me to go to the grammar school sports with her next week?" he asked. "Yes, she has," he continued, as the little girl shook her head. "Isn't it jolly and thoughtful of her? Bob said he could get a card of invitation for Uncle John; but sports aren't in his line, he says; and I'm glad they're not, for I'd far rather go with Mrs. Glanville. I suppose you'll be there too, won't you?"
"Oh, yes, and father. You know Bob's going in for several races besides the high jump. I wouldn't miss the sports for anything. Oh, I must go in, for there's mother at the back door beckoning to me. I expect she wants to send me on an errand," and Kitty began to descend the apple tree as she spoke.
"Take care!" cried Tim warningly, as the little girl, eager to impress him with her agility, swung herself somewhat recklessly from one branch to another.
"All right," she replied. "I shan't fall. I could climb this tree when I was six years old."
The words were scarcely out of her mouth when her foot slipped, and her whole weight was thrown upon the slight bough to which she was clinging. A moment later the bough snapped off, and Kitty, with a terrified shriek, fell heavily to the ground.
[CHAPTER VIII.]
KITTY IS MYSTIFIED.
TIM'S first idea on witnessing Kitty's accident was that she had killed herself; but before he had time to move the ladder from one side of the wall to the other and descend to her assistance, which he set about doing at once, she had struggled into a sitting posture, and as he reached her side she was trying to get up. That, however, she found she could not do, for she had injured her right foot in her fall; and her face was colourless and drawn with pain, and her blue eyes full of frightened tears as she raised them to Tim's scared countenance.
"Oh, Kitty, are you hurt much?" he inquired anxiously, extending a hand to help her to rise.