“Oh, you poor little cat!” exclaimed Bert. “I guess you’re lost in the storm. I’ll take you home.”
He reached up, and, by standing on his tiptoes, managed to get hold of the pussy. She dug her claws into the bark of the tree, for she was afraid of falling. But Bert gently pulled her loose, and then cuddled her in his arms, murmuring:
“Oh, you’re a nice little kitten! I’m glad I found you! Flossie and Freddie will just love you and Nan will give you some warm milk. I guess you got out of some house and don’t know how to get back.”
However, there were no houses very near the tree in which Bert had found the little cat. So, not knowing to whom she belonged he took her home with him. At first the pussy mewed pitifully as Bert cuddled her in his arms. But soon she began to purr contentedly.
“Now you’re happy,” said the boy.
Nan opened the side door for Bert, for she was watching for him to come back, and at first she did not see the cat.
“Is the doctor coming?” Nan wanted to know.
“He’ll be here in a little while,” was the answer.
Then the pussy in Bert’s arms moved and Nan caught sight of the bright eyes and the little tail waving.
“Oh, the darling!” she cried. “Where did you get her, Bert?”