Alice ran and caught fast hold of her papa's knees with her two chubby arms, and her eyes grew big and bright as she peeped around at the basket.
"Oh, what is it, papa? Do let me see."
"You must guess first," said her papa; "such a fine plaything."
"I know; it's a dolly!" cried Alice.
Papa laughed. "No, it's ever so much better than a dolly, for it's alive," he said.
"Oh, then it's a bird," cried the little girl.
But her papa only shook his head.
"Maybe it's a bunny, then," said Alice.
"No, no, you will never guess right," laughed papa, "so I will have to tell you. Just listen a moment," he said, as he held the basket close to Alice's ear.
The little girl stood on her tiptoes and fairly held her breath. Soon she heard a faint sound: "Meow! meow! meow!"